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And a Diet Coke, please.

mycoupons | 12 April, 2007 06:10

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. I will answer anything within reason, and it does NOT have to be about coupons or money. Just keep in mind, I think I know everything, when in reality, well, yeah, I know everything.

Today’s question comes from Danielle H. of MD. Danielle asked:

Cici,

I have a question for you that came up at a party last weekend. Everyone answered, and I thought ‘Cici would LOVE this question!’ So, here it is. “If you won $10,000 and had to spend it in ONE trip, at ONE store, on ONE thing, what would you buy?”

Of course I love this question! I will explain to my readers that Danielle sent me this question TWO weeks ago. I have had to do some serious thinking since then.

This a HUGE decision to make. I do not work well under pressure.

I started thinking of all the possibilities, and then got worried. What if I changed my mind? Could I return my purchase and get a gift card? Would the purchase qualify for Extra Care Bucks? If the item qualified for a mail-in-rebate, would I be entitled to it?

Does the $10,000 include tax- or do I have to pay that out of my pocket? In my county, sales tax is 7%- that’s $700. So technically, my purchase power is down to $9,300.

What to do. What to do.

My first, knew jerk reaction was simple. Jimmy Choo. But even Jimmy doesn’t make a shoe carrying a 10K price tag. And if he does, he certainly doesn’t list it on his website.

I thought of Target next. But I do not think Target sells a SINGLE item above $500. That falls about $8700 short of what I need to spend.

Oh the pressure!

I could easily wipe out Bed, Bath and Beyond with ten large bills, but I can only buy ONE thing!

I could go to Cartier or Tiffany’s and buy a diamond necklace- but that’s not my thing.

I could buy my husband a seventy-two inch liquid plasma surround sound television- but I’m too selfish.

I could buy my kid’s the mother of all playground sets- complete with built in roller coaster- but, I don’t have a big enough backyard.

After two weeks of sleepless nights, tossing and turning, and dreaming of dollar bills laughing at me, I came to the conclusion.

I will go to a Godiva store. I will ask their head chocolate maker to build a life sized replica of my house out of chocolate. It will be milk chocolate, not that dark crap.

I will have them build it around me, sitting in the middle on a chair.

Once complete, I will eat my way out of the house.

I figure this will kill a few birds with one $10,000 check.

I will never want to eat another bite of chocolate for the rest of my life, I will have spent the money on something I truly love, and I will be able to say I ate myself out of house and home.

I really love chocolate.

And pizza, I love pizza too!

Great question, thanks, Danielle!

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

Charlie and the chocolate factory

mycoupons | 05 April, 2007 06:41

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. I will answer anything within reason. My opinions are strong, and I make no promises that my answers are correct. But, send them anyway!

Diane C. from Maine said:

Cici,

Not sure if you can answer this on your blog, since it has nothing to do with coupons. I am due to have my first baby this month. Some friends tell me to get an epidural and drugs some tell me to go natural. My doctor tells me it’s my choice. I’m confused. I know you have kids, what are your thoughts?

Diane,

I will answer any questions- money related or not. And I LOVE this question.

Congrats on the baby- better you than me!

I can certainly give you my thoughts about epidurals, but like Sanjaya singing well, I have never actually done it.

I had two early C-sections. I have never even had a contraction! And let’s all take a moment to thank God for that. I have the pain tolerance of a child. A paper cut sends me into a crying fit.

I was honored when my friend Monica invited me to the birth of her son. I watched the videos in Junior High health class. I thought I knew what to expect.

I thought wrong.

Monica, who is normally level headed and calm turned into a monster.

A very mean, foul mouthed monster with bad breath.

She had decided to go natural and ‘enjoy the experience’ of bringing her son into the world.

I tend to believe that pushing a wet St. Bernard through a cat door is far from enjoyable.

Monica had instructed me to talk her down from the ledge when the pain got bad.

“No matter how much I complain, do NOT let me get an epidural!” She demanded of me.

Easy for her to say over chips and salsa when she was eight months pregnant.

When the big night came, and labor progressed, Monica’s resolve lowered.

By the time we arrived on the maternity floor, she had changed her mind. I gently reminded her of her conviction to go natural.

Two hours and a whole lot of complaining (from me) later, she was still begging for an epidural. I finally broke down. I told her to go for it.

I calmed her by telling her that there was no special award for doing it drug free. I would still think she was a hero.

She got the epidural, and her son was born without a hitch.

A few hours later as we were looking at her son, Monica angrily said to me “I can’t believe you let me get an epidural!”

“And I can’t believe you just gave birth to a baby that looks like an oompa-loompa!” I bit back.

We both started to laugh, and peace was made.

My point is, Diane, do what feels right for you. If you think now that you want to try and go drug free- fine. If you change your mind at some point, that is fine too. There really is no special award for doing it drug free.

I even asked my friend Stacey, a labor and delivery nurse, when the best time for a woman to get an epidural is.

“As soon as the pregnancy test comes back positive!” She said.

Sounds about right to me!

Good luck and please let me know when the baby arrives.

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

The tribe has spoken

mycoupons | 29 March, 2007 10:13

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. I will answer anything within reason. Of course, I am not an expert on anything, but I do like giving advice and pretending I know what I am talking about.

Laura B. from Green Bay, Wisconsin sent the following question:

We (DH, me and 1 child) are having trouble making ends meet. We live paycheck to paycheck and never seem to have enough money. We rent an apartment and want to buy a house someday. We do not drive fancy cars or go on vacations. Dh and I are fighting all the time about money and I am about ready to crack. Do you have any ideas for me?

Well, Laura. First, breathe. In. Out. In. Out.

If your situation is really as grave as you portray, then I have to point out the obvious. The fact that you emailed this letter to me is the start point. Unless you telepathically sent me this message, I am going to assume you have internet service. I hate to tell you this, but that is an expense you can cut right away. Having access to the internet sure FEELS like a necessity, but it is a luxury. If you absolutely cannot live without checking your email or reading a re-cap of The Amazing Race- go to your local library, they have computers where you can access the internet for free.

You stated your situation is dire, so I am going to give you straight answers here.

If you are having trouble making ends meet, your problem is simple. Your ends are too big, or your means are too small. Or both.

If you have already cut out every imaginable expense you can, and are still having trouble making ends meet, then you need to make more money.

Cutting expenses is HARD. Almost inhumane. But, there are tons of things the average family spends money on that are not needed.

All you really need to sustain life is shelter, food, and clothes. Have you ever seen Survivor? Yes, seems archaic and extreme, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Boy, do I have some desperate measures for you!

Cancel your internet service. Turn off your cable. Stop delivery of your home newspaper. Do not renew magazine subscriptions. Turn your home phone service to the lowest possible base plan. Turn lights and appliances off when not in use. Carpool. Drink water instead of soda or juice. If you smoke, quit. Use disposable diapers. Make your own baby wipes. Get movies from the library (You’ll be there using the internet anyway!) Cut your own hair. Do your own nails. Start a weekly potluck lunch at work. Eat hotdogs and macaroni for dinner instead of steak and asparagus. Grow your own fruits and vegetables. Shop at Goodwill and garage sales instead of the mall.

I could go on, but I think you get my point.

If you have to get a second job (or a first) do it. Same for your husband.

Put your dreams of home ownership on hold for now. You need to focus on the present. And don’t worry, you’re not missing much, the housing market stinks right now. With the cost of insurance and property taxes on the rise- homeowners are getting shafted.

Just remember, food, shelter and clothing. Everything and I mean EVERYTHING else is a pure luxury. And remember, it won’t be forever. A few months of living like a castaway can change your life.

You may realize you don’t miss some luxuries, and don’t need them back. You also may find that you are spending more time with your husband and your child, doing simple things, like playing tag outside.

I know it stinks. I have been there. But, a lot of sacrifice can pay off in the end. In more ways than one.

Your situation will not improve on its own. You have to change it.

Good luck,

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

Like a good neighbor, I am here.

mycoupons | 22 March, 2007 06:30

Thursday’s are reserved for your questions. Email me and any reasonable questions will be answered to the best of my ability.

Lacey J. from Cape Coral, Florida asked the following question:

Dear Cici,

Should I buy the extended warranty that I am always offered on electronics, appliances, and so on?

Dear Lacey,

The answer to this question can separate the masses. On one side you have die-hard warranty lovers, who would purchase a warranty with a toothbrush if they could. On the other side you have those who believe a fool and his money are soon parted and usually during the purchase of extended service plans.

I am more a member of the latter group. That is not to say that I have never purchased an extended warranty, because I have.. Extended warranties are like insurance- you don’t need it until you NEED it.

Extended warranties or service plans are offered by third parties, like the store or a separate agency. They are an ‘up sell,’ a way to increase profits.

When we bought our laptop last year, we were offered an extended service plan of 2 years for $149. The salesman told me it covered the laptop for two years after the manufacturer’s standard one year warranty expired. Before purchasing, I read the plan.

It was an inclusive plan, which meant that the extended warranty WAS for two years, but started at the day of purchase. So in essence, for the first year, I would be covered by the manufacturer AND the store. The hook here is that I really would only be getting ONE year of extra protection.

Extended warranties CAN be helpful on certain big ticket items. Our 65” big screen TV for example. A quick Google search showed that a replacement bulb for this TV would be $475! We watch a lot of TV- chances are the bulb would burn out eventually. The $129 warranty was a better bargain.

Nine months after we bought the TV, the bulb blew. Magnavox sent out a tech, he replaced the bulb. Free of charge. I was VERY glad I had the warranty.

I wouldn’t recommend buying ANY warranty that will cost more than 10% of the purchase price. Do your research. Did you know you can buy your computer at Best Buy, and purchase an extended warranty on it at CompUSA?

Truly, the best thing you can do is subscribe to Consumer Reports. For a nominal fee, you will have access to literally thousands of reviews. There will be no need to pony up an extra fifty bucks for a warranty on your new microwave if you find out BEFORE you buy it that 9 out of 10 people thinks it stinks.

Purchasing a warranty is a very personal decision. Like insurance, you need to decide how much risk you are willing to take.

Hope that helps!

Until we meet again,
Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com

Mirror Mirror On The Wall

mycoupons | 16 March, 2007 06:30

There comes a time in every woman's life when she realizes that she is not a girl anymore.

That time came yesterday for me.

I am getting old. How is this even possible? I am cool!

I graduated high school in the NINETIES! (The early nineties, but the nineties.)

But, I am old. My hairdresser found a grey hair last week. On my head. Attached to my scalp.

I am young enough to remember where I was when The Challenger exploded, but not old enough to be able to say I know where I was when President Kennedy was assassinated- I wasn't even BORN yet!

I woke up feeling young and lively and then in a cruel sequence of events I realized I was OLD.

By nightfall, I was looking for my prune juice and attaching a clapper to my lamp.

It all started when I was dropping my daughter off at school. I was at a red light. Two 'dudes' pulled up next to me- they were high school age, in a red convertible, listening to some awful music. I actually thought to myself- What is that NOISE they are listening to?

After I dropped Lauren off at school, I went to the grocery store. I am making dinner tonight for some friends. After gathering my low fat cheese, multi-grain bread, and low acid tomato sauce, I remembered I needed drinks.

I didn't go to the beer aisle; I went to the WINE aisle. And I actually picked a bottle of wine for its taste, not its price.

Once I checked out and DID NOT get asked for my ID, I pushed my cart with my baby in it to my MINIVAN. I moved the soccer gear, stroller and diaper bag out of the way and put the groceries in.

On the way home, I realized I needed gas. So I pulled in to the station and filled up. Ten years ago, I was lucky to put $5 in my tank- and that was because I happened to find some loose change. And here I was, filling the tank- to the brim. I even splurged on a $3 carwash for the minivan.

Once home, I unloaded the groceries as the exterminator arrived. It struck me that this is THE epitome of adulthood. I am paying someone to keep my house free of bugs! Only adults do this. My college apartment was a living science experiment!

After the exterminator left, I made my son lunch- and it had VEGETABLES in it! I remember thinking when I had kids, I would never make them eat vegetables if they didn't care to. Yet, here I was, making airplane noises and pretending peas were flying elephants to get him to eat.

Once lunch was cleaned up, a load of laundry was put in the dryer, and the beds made, I went back to school to get my daughter.

The director of the school asked if I would come in and do a speech for career day. She wanted me to talk to the kids about the legal profession, and what it is people in the field do all day.

Is she SMOKING CRACK?? I clean up baby vomit and watch Oprah all day! I haven't been inside of an office that didn't have toys in the waiting room for SIX years!

Once we left the school, we went to Target. After telling my daughter no to EVERY toy in the department, and telling my son to sit down about thirty-seven times, we were at the checkout.

As I loaded by purchases on to the conveyer belt, I took stock. Reality hit like lightning!

Tums. Pepto Bismol. Soy chips. Good Housekeeping magazine. Pledge. Diapers. And the knife in my heart; a three pack of Hanes Her Way white cotton briefs.

You read it here first, folks. I bought GRANNY PANTIES.

The truth is I have come too far in life to worry about pretty.

Practical is my new middle name. Cotton briefs are the wave of the future.

My future anyway.

When my husband got home from work, he found me crying into my middle school yearbook. Those were the days! All I worried about was whether Kevin Sicard liked me, and if Mr. Martin was going to figure out that I cheated on my math test. (No, and yes.)

I wish I could go back in time and tell that girl that the things she worries about are not really worries at all. I want to tell her that acne and nasty rumors both dry up and go away. I want to tell her that the heartache she feels because Kevin Sicard doesn't like her is NOTHING compared to the heartache she will feel watching her firstborn fight for life in an incubator.

My daughter saw me looking at the yearbook and inquired what I was doing. I explained what a yearbook was, and showed her my picture. She said "Mommy, you were so beautiful! And a little kid just like me!"

I smiled and thought how sweet- she made me feel instantly better.

Until she dropped the bomb.

"But now you're old and look like Grandma!"

Dear God. Shoot me now.

Until we meet again,

Cici

Cici@MyCoupons.com