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Archive for July, 2015

Retirement Update

July 21st, 2015 at 08:25 pm

I don't do updates on my retirement often but I should.

I started both my 401K and Roth IRA in 2012. My employer match is 6% of the 401K.

Right now I am contributing 15% of my income not including the match (I did not start out contributing that much). The 6% match is just icing on the cake right now.

I follow the Dave Ramsey program or at least try hard to do so!

For three years, not bad.

401K $41,027.12
Roth IRA $17,569.72
Total $58,596.84

Auto and Homeowners Insurance

July 16th, 2015 at 05:12 pm

My auto and homeowners insurance is up for renewal. It is increasing by $369.

The auto went up an additional $241 and for homeowners $128.

I have asked the independent insurance agent to research it to see if he could get a better deal. I'm going to do some research of my own.

Weight Watchers Week 2 and other updates

July 7th, 2015 at 10:13 pm

My weigh in today didn't go as planned but I'm not upset. I'm up .6lbs. Seriously! A half a pound! I think its because of my clothes or atleast that is what I'm telling myself. I did the points. I exercised so I don't see why I didn't get a loss. Maybe the scale was off. LOL!

In looking at my Fitbit weekly report my average hours asleep a night is 8. I'm glad about that. I do need to increase my daily steps though!

I have $129.50 pending with Ebates right now. My next check will be here August 15th.

I've also received $5 Kohls cash and $5 Famous Footwear. I have a 15% off and there is a b1g1 50% off at Famous Footwear. I wonder if I can combine everything. hmm! Well I'm going to swing by after work today and see what I can get. I don't have a coupon to use with the Kohls cash. Last time I got 3 pair of Asset by Spanxs briefs that suck in my gut!

DD2 and I went to the library last night. I picked up an audio book by Amanda Berry and Gina Dejesus. The girls who were abducted in Cleveland and held for years. I also picked up two travel books one from Lonely Planet and there other I think is Fodors on China and the United Arab Emirates so I can do some research.

Other than going to a bakery the girls and I have not been eating out. At work they do cater in on Thursdays now and sometimes for meetings on other days.

I get paid this Friday and will take inventory and make a menu plan and try to use all that we still have. I really stocked up the last time I went to the store.

That's pretty much all that I have going on right now.

Beijing & Shanghai 2016

July 2nd, 2015 at 07:22 pm

Another trip! Woo hoo! I am working on my bucket list.

Original Price $1400
Early Booking -$300
Coupon Code -$100
Price $1099

I will need to purchase (2) Visas @ $195/ea. I added discounted excursions for $343. Total $1637 per person!

What is included:
Round-trip non-stop flights from Houston
All intra-China flights and ground transportation
7 nights superior first class hotels with private bath
8 Meals: 7 American buffet breakfasts plus 1 lunch
Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
Professional English-speaking tour guides

The excursions are:
Tiananmen Square
Palace Museum
Forbidden City
Lama Tibetan Monastery
Beihai Park
Kung Fu & Peking Duck Dinner
Great Wall of China
Hutongs, Summer Palace & Panda Zoo
Temple of Heaven
Tai Chi class
Yu Garden
Shanghai Museum
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Acrobatics Show
Boat ride through Suzhou's Grand Canal
Silk Reeling Factory

What is not included:
tips, some meals and souvenirs!

This flight is also 15hrs! yikes!!

I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

Dubai Trip 2015

July 2nd, 2015 at 07:08 pm

I guess if you don't save your post frequently it gets deleted. Anyway, I lied when I said I wasn't going to do any more traveling and focus on paying off the mortgage because I found some good deals and booked!

Dubai
Original price $1499
Early booking -$300
Coupon code -$100
Total $1099

I added additional items like airfare from Houston for a direct flight which was $395 and excursions $424. Total price per person is $1918.

What is included:
Round trip flights via scheduled carriers including fuel surcharges, taxes and fees
5 nights superior first-class hotel plus late check-out Day 7
Buffet breakfast daily
Arrival & departures transfers with meeting, assistance and porterage

The fun stuff the excursions -
Half a day Dubai city tour
Burj Khalifa
Desert Safari & BBQ Dinner
Full Day Abu Dhabi
Dhow Dinner Cruise
Dubai Museum
Al Fahidi Fort
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Zayed House
Yas Island, where the Ferrari World theme park and Formula 1 race track are located

What is not included:
Tips, some meals, souvenirs!


Weight Watchers Week 1 Results

July 2nd, 2015 at 06:34 pm

I recently joined Weight Watchers. I felt that it was needed. I have been so tired lately. Even to the point where I am winded going up and down the stairs. Having a desk job, not exercising or watching what I eat have all contributed.

For week 1, I am down 4.2lbs which is great! Next week I hope to get my 5 POUND STAR!

Changes that I have made, I've been tracking and watching what I eat, drinking a ton of water, eating plenty of fruit and veggies. This weekend I will start exercising regularly to speed up the process and get to feeling better.

I enjoy the meetings and the group leader, its a group that I know and the location is so convenient being just over by the food court here at work.

Last week I used my extra points that I am allotted but I am going to try to not use the 'allowance' and just stick to the daily target points!