Always Pamm

Piggy Bank Cash is Up And Running Again !!!

2008-02-24T16:41:00.004-06:00

I joined this gpt site awhile ago, pretty soon after it opened. I got a Paypal payment for my first month and then it seemed everything there just fizzled out.

I couldn't get any offers to credit and my questions went unanswered. But I happened back there a few day ago to find an update that it was under new ownership and would be reopening soon.

When it did, the new owner turned out to be Lorie, the owner of another trusted gpt site, Fairy tale Treasures !!!

She has made a few changes, like offers are now given piont values instead of cash, but each point is worth approximately 1 cent, so same thing.

But for old members who had a balance in their accounts, she will honor any money you earned before she took over. That is sooo cool!!

And a much lower payout, only $6.00

And a few other things. So if you are looking for another or a first gpt site to sign up with, try taking a look at Piggy Bank Cash.

Click on this banner, and tell 'em Pamm sent you...

When Will It End???

2008-02-24T05:57:00.004-06:00

I have a cool thing on the computer, Weather Bug, gives me my weather and local for the coming week. As well as any weather alerts.

Here it is, Sunday morning and the little bug starts chirping at me. Which means there is an update for severe weather. When I clicked on it here is what I found

... Another Winter Storm Taking Aim On The Area... .A Potent Storm System Off The Northern Coast Of California Is Expected To Cross The Rocky Mountains Tonight. Low Pressure Will Develop In The Plains By Monday Morning And Track Across Northern Missouri Into Central Illinois Monday Night. This System Will Spread A Wintry Mix Of Rain... Freezing Rain And Some Sleet Across The Area Monday Morning. As The System Approaches It Will Draw In Colder Air Causing The Precipitation To Change Over To Heavy... Wet Snow Monday Afternoon. Snow... Heavy At Times Will Continue Through Monday Night Before Tapering Off To Flurries Early Tuesday Morning. Strong Northwest Winds Will Develop Monday Evening And Continue Through Tuesday Morning... Creating Blowing And Drifting Snow.

I am soooo tired of this weather. The snow seems like it is never gonna melt.

Our house sits on the edge of town and there is nothing but one lone maple tree to block the winds. And there have been many times this winter there is a breeze going over my kitchen sink from the lack of insulation and windows that need replacing.

I am longing for the first few days of spring. I want to be planting flowers and veggies in my garden and not thinking about how high the snow drifts in the driveway will be this time.

And then I get to think about my husband, the truck driver. Today he gets to leave for, yep, you guessed it, Missouri. Right into what is coming and then he will probably have to drive back in it too.

And then wonder if there will be school on Monday... the actual weather doesn't care if it is supposed to come in the afternoon or evening, it gets here when it feels like it. So if I send her to school in the morning and then the weather starts to turn I have to keep a radio on or check the school's website.

I know most people think ALL of Illinois is flat. That's why the Cheeseheads in Wisconsin call us Flatlanders. But not where we live. We are less than a mile from the border with Wisconsin and have some pretty big rolling hills. And I worry about the crazyass bus drivers.

People out here don't drive like people in suburban Chicago. ALOT of things are different here, just 125 miles away, but the driving stands out. We think it's because there are so few people out here that they just don't think right of way has any true meaning. They are used to being on the roads alone. There are bunches of one car accidents, we think they just drift off and don't pay attention to some of the twisty, winding country roads out here. Did I mention the entire county only has 4 stop lights and that there are more cows out here than people?

What was I thinking?

Anyway, off to the outrageously overprice grocery store in town now for some eggs and bread needed to ride out another storm...

I Changed My Name

2008-02-21T10:13:00.002-06:00

OK, not really, just the name of the blog.

Over the years I have had MANY different email accounts due to different isps or just free ones I set up and then never went back to.

But the last time we changed providers I used this as my email, and it seems to fit best.

No matter what I am doing or going thru, I am always me, Pamm.

Social Security Hates Stay at Home Moms

2008-02-19T14:17:00.003-06:00

Some background...

I am currently 49 years old. I got my first real job in 1975 when I turned 16. Other than a few weeks or months here and there due to unemployment, I worked at least one job until I was 39 years old when my daughter was born. I stayed home with her for the first year and then because I was going nuts, I went back to work. I worked days and my husband worked nights. Yeah, that lasted about 10 months. We were killing ourselves and the extra money got spent on gas and fast food. Due to a combination of things, I quit, but still did what I could to help out with cash flow... some mystery shopping, taste tests and product trials, whatever I could. And we decided it would stay that way until she went to school.

Stuff happened... we moved, hubby lost his job then found a new one and before I knew it, it was time for her to start school. And during those years we filed joint income tax returns.

Fast forward to November, 2006 and I end up in the hospital. And then again in December near death due to what they did to me the month before. Next we have 5 more months of really bad medical stuff going on, but at least I was alive. Then in May of 2006, since we hadn't been thru enough, I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Thankfully, thru my husband's job we have great health insurance. Otherwise, we would be homeless by now due to the costs, or I would have had to skip anyy/all treatment.

A friend told me I should apply for disability. So I did. And yes, cancer is considered a disability. And stage 4? Being told you will die bumps you to the front of the line. Who knew?!?!?!

They told me how much I should be getting and told me to send in copies of all my medical records and that I should be hearing back from them soon.

I was thrilled. Not that it was "free" money, look at all those years I had worked. But because I could finally help take some of the pressure off my husband. I was supposed to get enough to cover the mortgage and some of the utilities.

And then the bad news came.

Because I had been a stay at home mom I had not earned enough credits in the last couple of years to qualify for benefits. WHAT??? I couldn't believe it... It did not matter that I had worked and paid into social security for almost 25 years. And the fact that our family thought it was more important to raise our daughter ourselves rather than put her in day care made no difference whatsoever.

To our government, as a Mom, I had no value.

I even spoke to several attorneys, they all said sad but true.

Even if there is nothing to be done that can help me, and there isn't, it just pisses me off for all the other stay at home parents out there!!

But where do I start, who do I go to?

I am so sick of hearing candidates on both sides talk about families and universal health care, blah, blah, blah. What about this issue? Was I the only stay SAHM who didn't know this?

If you have any ideas on where I should take up this issue, please tell me.

And if you are a parent who want to stay home, please think about keeping at least a part time job or don't stay off work too long. You never know what can happen...

What The Heck Happened To You???

2008-02-18T17:09:00.003-06:00

So, just where have I been???

Here and there, holidays, chemo and trying to decide if I should continue this blog.
I guess since I am writng today I have, but some of my original intentions are gone.

I doubt I will ever make a sizeable amount of money on gpt sites. Although I will admit the extra money has been pretty handy. But nothing I can count on.

And I am burned out about ebay. Did that for a couple of years selling stuff from around the house as well as "treasures" I found at auctions and thrift stores. Actually I probably lost a ton of money due to all the time it took to find the items, research, photograph and then list.
And now it would probably be even worse with the changes in fees.

I guess I don't really know what I want to do, but I can't start much of anything until after the 29th. That's the day I am scheduled for surgery and will get a clue as to how long I will be laid up.

I can only hope the snow and bitter cold is DONE by then. Maybe that alone will improve my outlook.

If you have any suggestions, feel free to send 'em my way.

Momsense

2007-12-07T14:24:00.000-06:00

Between my daughter having walking pneumonia, then giving it to me, Thanksgiving, getting some other germy cold from 4th grade and chemo, I have just had my ass kicked for the last couple of weeks.

But today I found this, and just had to share it. For all moms out there, you are not alone!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

I Think It's Cool

2007-11-14T03:33:00.000-06:00

Look what I found...

You can get one too, just click on the other thingy

Better Than I Deserve

2007-11-12T17:11:00.000-06:00

So that's a line I am gonna borrow from Dave Ramsey.

I always seem to miss him on the radio, but I have his tv show on Fox set up for a season pass on Tivo. I watch him every day and know that one day I too will be debt free.

Of course I still haven't even gotten thru baby step 1, but I am working on it.

And what did I do today to save and or make money... I did a bunch of offers on various gpt sites, about half of which confirmed already.

I did one load of laundry in cold water and then hung it out to dry. Yes, a rare day for mid November in Illinois when I can still put clothes out on the line, but it was about 6o degrees today, sunny and dry.

Cooked/made 3 meals for each my husband, daughter and I from stuff already in the house.

And the biggest of all was I stayed home and spent no money!!! With my daughter out of school today, I resisted her pleas to go to Walmart, for what I can't remember. She could easily spend $500 every time she walks thru their door on junk she thinks she just has to have!!! We stayed home, did some stuff around the house, played a couple of board games and it cost us nothing extra.

Nothing really exceptional, but my money is still in my pocket.

Now I am in search of a good recipe for whole grain white bread I can use in my bread machine. No more $2.49 a loaf from me for Sara... Have a good one? Feel free to pass it on to me.

Later...

Pamm

I Promise...

2007-11-12T07:55:00.000-06:00

I promise to have something insightful to say later today.

I just can't seem to find any time the last week or so between chemo and daughter having walking pneumonia !!!

Just didn't want you guys, all 3 of you who read or stop by to think I ran away!

Later...

Pamm

If You Are Unhappy

2007-11-01T13:11:00.000-05:00

This was sent to me years ago when I worked in an office, and these words still ring true. Enjoy.

If You Are Unhappy

Once upon a time, there was a nonconforming sparrow who decided not to fly south for the winter.

However, soon the weather turned so cold that he reluctantly started to fly south.

In a short time ice began to form on his wings and he fell to earth in a barnyard, almost frozen.

A cow passed by and crapped on the little sparrow. The sparrow thought it was the end.

But the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings. Warm and happy, able to breathe, he started to sing. Just then a large cat came by and hearing the chirping, investigated the sounds.

The cat cleared away the manure, found the chirping bird and promptly ate him.

The Moral Of The Story

1. Everyone who shits on you is not necessarily your enemy

2. Everyone who gets you out of shit is not necessarily your friend

3. And if you are warm and happy in a pile of shit, keep your mouth shut

New GPT Site

2007-10-30T12:32:00.000-05:00

I just signed up with this site, (thanks Sheryl). Started by another wahm, so I had to join and support her. It's new and right now there are only 158 members, so tons of referals to be had and loads of money to be made!!! Take a look...

I Went Shopping...

2007-10-29T13:25:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday, all by myself after another CT scan.

Only when I am by myself do I have any hope of sticking to a list. Mr. Pamm and daughter just can't seem to help themselves from throwing all kinds of crap, sorry, treasures, in the cart. But alone I even made it out of Walmart for under $20.00 !! Even I was impressed with that one. Then for groceries at Aldi, and out the door for just under $40.

Amazing.

I Have Been So Good...

2007-10-24T11:50:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it, but I have stayed out of all stores this week so far !!! I did buy gas this morning, but I don't see that as shopping,

I have made do with what's in the house already for food. My daughter is complaining that there are no chips or "good" snacks in the house, but that's ok. She will get over it.

I did hear of a new thrift sore that just opened here in my tiny little town. I am going to stop there on my way to pick daughter up from school, she is in need of new snow pants and boots before the first flurries fly. But I will go BEFORE I pick her up. She has never met a store or garage sale she doesn't like !!!

I am also hoping that they take stuff in on consignment. That would help me in a HUGE way with money as well as decluttering.

My New Mantra

2007-10-23T14:04:00.000-05:00

I just came across this and had to share...

OOOPS, I Did It Again !!!

2007-10-23T13:20:00.000-05:00

I wrote that I would update the garage sale adventure and I didn't.

Sometimes my intentions are so good but my follow thru just doesn't follow thru. I promise to make a REAL effort to change that.

But Here it is... I could have just slept late on Saturday. Only a few people stopped and only 2 or 3 bought anything. I think I made another $10.

I was soooo glad to see so much stuff go, but when I was packing it all up I just couldn't believe how much was left !!! We seriously have way too much stuff.

I donated several huge garbage bags of clothes to St. Vinnie's and gave some shoes and a few clothes to my nephew for his daughter. Stuff that was in too good of condition to donate if I knew somebody who could use it, but stuff that I just didn't want to bring back into the house.

What I don't understand still is why I didn't seem to gain any space in the house... there are no empty closets and no empty dresser drawers. I just have to donate more and be willing to thow away some of this stuff.

I once tried to do FlyLady, but the number of emails just became overwhelming !!! I spent more time reading and making sure I was keeping current than actually DOING the decluttering. So I quit and felt almost bad that I was a dropout of the program. But I think now I am on a roll and am going to try to just do it on my own.

Wish me luck !!!

Garage Sale Adventures

2007-10-06T05:25:00.001-05:00

I HAD to have a garage sale... We have sooo much stuff around the house that needs to find a new home. But last week was chemo aftermath week and I just couldn't get motivated to do too much. I did put an ad in our local paper, so I had no choice.

On Wednesday I made a totlal disatser (even more than usual) of our dining room with two rolling racks of clothes and boxes and heaps of stuff that needed to be priced. Also, since I am no longer going to do ebay, all the crap I bought at auctions, garage sales and thrift stores had to go too.

I must say I was more ambitious than productive, but what the hell, at least some of it got priced and out to the garage.

I normally price stuff so I can make money, this time I just wanted it outta here, so I think only 5 items total were over $3.00, with most at $1.00 or less. I also always do pricing in .25 cents increments, that way I don't have to think too hard to add people's stuff up.

I am also doing it again today, cuz I think it's just too much work to set up for just one day.

I did make over $70.00 yesterday, and hope that today takes me over the $100.00 mark. A ton of stuff sold, but there is still a ton left.

What REALLY ticks me off the most is the stupid things people say to you... I know you are supposed to haggle at a garage sale, but come on !!! When I put $1.00 on a denim skort from The Children's Place, don't ask me if I will take a quarter, I won't. You are getting a smokin' deal and should be thankful it doesn't fit mt daughter any more. I much prefer the people who shop like I do... they just shut up and pay what I have it prices at

And then there was the woman who went to my friend's sale after mine, she bought nothing, and told my friend my prices were way too high and that I had better lower them or I wasn't gonna sell anything!!! What a bitch !!!

OK, that's my rant for this morning. I will let you know later how it all turned out.

Just hope that bitch isn't back today...

Something You Just Gotta Get Off Your Chest ??

2007-09-21T08:47:00.000-05:00

I just recently found a really cool site http://moms-turn.net/. It gives all of us stay at home moms a place to vent.

You may have thought you would do that on your blog when you first started, but then who might see it ?!?

If you just need to get something out today, that might not be so bad tomorrow, here is a place to do that, and do it anonomously. Have you ever wondered what would happen if on your blog you went off on a rant about your husband or kids and they or somebody you know read it? I think about that ALL the time. Would it hurt their feelings, make them mad at me in return or just be something that I don't really want them to know about.

I have to say I love my family dearly, but there are days they just make me nuts. I DO NOT live to serve and they sometimes forget that !! So now there is a place where I can get stuff off my chest, and maybe get some helpful advice or just s nonjudgemental shoulder to cry on.

Check them out when you get a chance, vent a little and help restore your sanity !!

OK, OK, I Confess !!!

2007-09-19T11:25:00.000-05:00

I have a ton of laundry to do today and no time for it to dry on the line, soooo... I confess I am using my electric dryer !! I know I am just lining the pockets of some huge utility as well as adding to the problems of the environment, but I just want it done and put away!

If I hung it all one the line it wouldn't be dry until late afternoon as the weather today isn't very warm even though there is a slight breeze. And the thought of another few days of full laundry baskets sitting in my bedroom waiting to be put away is just more than I can handle today.

My darling daughter who is 9 and truly concerned about her daily fashion status in 4th grade has taken to hiding dirty clothes in her closet and drawers for fear that she may never see them again, or at least not before she wants to wear them again !

And I have to admit this too... I feel I have accomplished something already today because I already have two loads washed, dried and put away and it isn't even noon!! My last load is in the washer and towels will just have to wait for another day.

Actually, I could go for a week or more and not do ANY laundry as we all have enough clothes, linens and whatever else I wash to make it without having to give anything a sniff test.

Have I mentioned that I think people must be sneaking into our home while we are all out and wear our clothes and wet all the towels? I have come to this conclusion because otherwise there is just no reason for 3 people to generate so much dirty laundry!! And Mr. Pamm, the truck driver usually isn't home more than 3 times a week.

That's my story and I am sticking to it!!!

I am disappointed

2007-09-18T06:26:00.000-05:00

Mostly in myself I guess. I had thought that when I first started this blog I would be making some REAL money. I guess I have if you count .o2 or .o5 cents for clicking on emails REAL money. And I just can't seem to get excited about email or zip code submits that seem to do nothing but generate more spam. If I signed up under you on some gpt site and haven't earned you much $$$ I am sorry. I meant well.
I started out like I do on many things, VERY gung-ho and determined to make it work. But then reality sets in. My daughter has to get to school and after school there is homework, the house is a mess, the laundry is screaming my name or my husband, who is a truck driver comes home for the first time in 3 days and I want to spend time with him, or I have a chemo appointment.
Have I mentioned I have colon cancer? Probably not, cuz I am sick of it and it's just not a way I care to introduce myself. Also, people get that really sad look on their face or in their tone and don't know what to say about it, and I don't like putting people in that position.
Or my other biggest distraction is other people's blogs !!! I just start reading and clicking and before I know it I am sooo far from where I started and my window of opportunity has shut. An hour or two seems to fly by when I get to reading.
So today I am recommitting myself to earning money thru this blog, and maybe another one, not sure about that yet. I am going to treat it like a business and somehow make it work. I still have sooo much to learn I have decided to give myself another 60 days to start seeing some progress.
But my new quest and challenge begins today... as soon as I get my daughter off to school !!!
More later,

Pamm

Commercial I Hate the MOST

2007-09-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

OK, I just have to get this out... I HATE the Visa commercial for Visa debit cards. That my life needs "faster" money !!! There have been a few, but this one was the guy in the deli/ fast food place and shows him paying with cash. Just that simple act, using actual money instead of plastic throws everything off and messes up every ones day. And then he gets looks from the cashier as well as other customers like he is some kind of loser because he pays with REAL money !!!
I used to treat my money this thoughtless way. I worked, got a piece of paper for pay, took it to the bank and got another piece of paper showing I put it in. Then all the time I paid with plastic. And then more paper came in the mail to say how much I owed, and I sent them ANOTHER piece of paper to pay them back. It never seemed like money to me, just bits of paper going around. Now I only use cash or write checks. I try to keep the money real.
And if my life is a little "slower" than those people on the commercials, so be it.

Coupon money

2007-09-10T10:05:00.000-05:00

Last month I decided to put away any money I saved by using coupons just to see what it added up to be for a month. I only started this on the 26th of August, but I do have $7.95 in my little jar to go into the bank today! This will then go into my Ing savings account. Not alot, I know. But something is better than nothing. I haven't gone shopping yet this month, just milk and bread, so nothing yet for September. But I do have all my coupons ready to go over the sales papers this week when they come out.
I keep my coupons in a binder and use photo sheets to organize them. I have pretty standard categories like beverages, health and beauty, cleaning, drinks, laundry and so on. This way whether I am in a store or at home when I see a sale I can quickly flip to a section and see if I have any coupons for the item.
How do you organize your coupons and do you ever buy more than one Sunday paper to get multiple coupons if there is a really great one?
My goal for September is to save $25 with coupons.

Where have I been ???

2007-09-10T09:54:00.000-05:00

Things around our house have been REALLY crazy lately, but I can't really figure out why. We are mostly into the school routine, so that shouldn't be it I just can't put my finger on it, but it's gotta stop.
I have to get more organized about everything.
I have been trying to generate some income, but the gpt sites are boring me. I guess I am just discouraged about how little money I am making or how far I am from payouts. If I signed up under you, I am sorry. I will try to do better. Maybe somebody can give me some tips and motivation.
I know I get distracted by reading other peoples blogs. I keep thinking if I just keep reading I will find some brilliant new idea for making or saving money. And then before you know it, two hours have gone by and my computer time is over.
I guess I also need some tips on organizing my time better !!
I am also trying to get together all the "stuff" around the house for a garage sale in a couple of weeks. There is just waaaay too much stuff in this house for 3 people. I am hoping to make at least $200 from a sale. If anybody has tips on having a GREAT sale, please send those along too...

Rebate

2007-08-27T16:07:00.000-05:00

Here is a fab rebate you can print online from a board I belong to.
Buy 2 Family size bags of Frito Lay and get a $7 rebate... http://www.shoprite.com/Cnt/documents/Fritorebate081207.pdf

Coupons and Rebates

2007-08-27T10:16:00.000-05:00

Are you a coupon user? I am, but used to be much more. When I lived in suburban Chicago there were so many deals due to competition that I couldn't always keep up !!! I had stockpiles of everything from shanpoo, toothpaste and toilet paper to pasta and hot dogs. I had a friend who worked at a gas station and would save me all the coupon inserts from Sunday papers, so most weeks I wuld have at least 20 complete sets. I traded coupons and belonged to an online coupon site to help me scope out the best deals.
But due to housing costs, we moved to a pretty rural area, but still in Illinois. I had no idea just what I was leaving behind as far as shopping !
My little town of 1600 people is lucky enough to have it's own grocery store, but as they are the only one there are not so many great sales. Gone are the days of double coupons, stores that take expired coupons and frequently paying only tax for many items. I told people when I first moved here that I couldn't believe I now had to pay full price for food!!
But I find deals where I can and stock up as much as possible. And I still buy a Chicago paper on Sundays because the coupons have a much higher value and there are more of them than in local papers.
I do still belong to the online site, there is a wealth of information there from tons of women, and a few men too who are savvy shoppers and true coupon queens. Check it out at http://refundcents.com/subscriptions.htm?RefID=H98 . I still keep my online only subscription, it only costs $12 a year, that's just $1 a month. And what I get is well worth that. Links to printable coupons, test drives, rebates and who has the best deals on stuff online and off.
There are many useful tools and information on this site, I have been a member for years and even if I don't go there evreyday when I do I still find something new or a coupon/rebate I can print

Just what IS your quest, Pamm ?

2007-08-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

It's all about money. Making it, spending wisely, saving it, getting out of debt and using it to our advantage.

I am currently a SAHM with one terrific daughter and a wonderful husband who is a truck driver. We live in a pretty rural area so the job market doesn't really have anything to offer that fits in with our lives for me.

So I have turned to the internet. I have sold on Ebay, but I find I buy as much or more than I sell so that is on hold for now.

My newest quest is to make as much, but preferably more online as I would with a traditional job. So off I go into the gpt world. If you know of a good paying one, let me know and I will sign up under you. Please also check out some of mine that have been paying and sign up under me if your not already a member.

I will also have daily stuff to say... what I did or do each day to make money, and ways I save and stretch it too. Maybe some will be new and helpful to you and please feel free to share your ideas with me.

As this blog grows I will add more musings or stuff I just feel the need to say. If you respond in any way, please don't be mean or snarky... I will just delete it anyway.

I imagine this blog will undergo changes as I add some things and get rid of others. So check back often and see what I'm up to and how we can help each other make and save money !!!