Hidden Costs

While looking at my bank statement recently, I noticed a recurring charge for AOL Service for $25.99 per month. I guess I just kind of forgot about it since it was set up as an automatic deduction from my checking account long, long ago.

What does my $25.99 a month get me? Absolutely nothing! I can retain my email address for free and I certainly don't need the "dial up" service anymore. Does anyone still use dial up??

Anyway, I feel oh-so-foolish that I have ignored this senseless charge for so long. Egg. On. Face. But the good news is I changed my account status to free email address only at a cost of $0.00 per month.

If you need to make this change, on the AOL homepage next to the Google search box, click on "Help & Feedback." And then choose the appropriate option for you from the menu on the resulting page.

Moral of the story: Check your bank accounts for automatic deductions that you may have set up long ago and forgotten about and keep more of your money.

Adventures in Loan Modification

Yikes! I'm starting the process of getting a loan modification or refinancing. I thought I'd document it because I have read tons of horror stories, particularly regarding my lender Wells Fargo. Yes, I named names.

The first step consisted of basically "throwing my hat into the ring." Like, you have to apply to apply. Then you wait and you have no control over the process. There isn't a different number to call to check on the status of the process.

I am somewhat understanding of what I consider to be reputable institutions. This is new for all these lenders. They don't have the infrastructure in place to really handle this efficiently. I can be reasonable, but I don't want this process dragging out for months. Hey, that's $$$$$$ down the drain.

Perhaps some background would help. I purchased a condo about 3 years ago. Then the condo market went bust in my area. Not planning to move any time soon, I could live with that. Just bad luck, bad timing. Fast forward to November 2008. Cue the dramatic music . . . LAYOFF. Let it be know that I am not one of those people who got a crazy loan or purchased more home than they could afford. In the community I live, small modest homes do not exist, so for us single-working-mother types the choices are to either rent or buy a condo. I am very conservative financially, so I got a 30-year fixed loan. Very affordable and well within my means. Until, of course, the LAYOFF.

So now with very limited income and paying more for a mortgage than my property is worth, I start the process . . .

I'll keep ya posted!

See Ya at IKEA

Short on cash, but yearning to brighten things up around the house for spring? Take a trip to IKEA. Even if you don't plan to make a purchase, it's always fun to browse.
And trust me . . . you will buy something.
Even if it is only a famous IKEA cinnamon roll. Mmmmmmmm.

Although I am not a fan of some of their furniture items because many are made of MDF (I am an admitted solid-wood snob), I think their upholstered items are some of the best deals out there.
These three white pieces for $999 are a steal. Covers can be removed and washed to maintain that clean, bright look.








I like how the in-store designers make up these small-space vignettes. Very inspirational.







I always have to make a stop in the baby department and looked at the plush toys. There is just something off about them. It cracks me up. Really? You want your baby to wake up with a plush rat in his/her crib? That could result in some lasting psychological damage. And what is that other thing, anyway?

The place was nice and quiet on a Tuesday afternoon. Avoid the weekend, avoid the crowd. Enjoy.

Subhuman Spring Cleaning

A totally unexpected fit of spring cleaning hit me this weekend. Cleaning of any sort is normally not my cup of tea. I mean, yeah, I do it, but I don't enjoy it and certainly don't do any more than I absolutely need to. The basement just got too yucky. Dusty, stuffy, icky. It's my son's man-cave.

So, I steam-cleaned the carpet (It doesn't really look any better, but at least I know it's clean), scrubbed the baseboards (!!), and cleaned the furniture. It definitely made me think of new projects to undertake. New carpet, kitchen remodel plans, deck cleaning/staining . . .

Of course, some of that will have to wait until I'm fully employed again, but it IS good to feel motivated.

Found some great blogs, too. Here's one that especially fits the subhuman theme:
Small Space Style
I love the idea of living with less and using space more efficiently.

Got My Leno Tix!

That was quite an experience. The parking lot was to open at 8:00 a.m., but the traffic was so heavy the Auburn Hills police made the Palace open the parking lot early and, therefore, they began doling out the tickets early. I had every intention of getting there around 8, but I must confess I am not a morning person and have a hard time getting it going in the morning. I arrived at 9:55 a.m. to find a line all the way around the outside of the Palace. I grabbed my place in line, which was continuously moving. It was pretty nice out, so not a bad wait in line (if you don't count the guy behind me who was smoking a cigar and spitting). They pulled the old "Cedar Point" trick, though. You think that once you get in the Palace, you are almost going to get your tickets. Uh uh. Next was a 1.5 hour wait in the seats (added to the 55 minutes of waiting in line outside). I'm not complaining, I was there for the experience and knew what I was getting myself into.
It was interesting listening to all the people around me. Strangers chatting with each other, commiserating about the economy, lots of talk about the auto industry, etc. Everyone was very friendly and quite "ruly" (as opposed to ruly).

A long experience, but not a bad experience. When it was almost time for our section to get tickets, the Palace staff announced that another show was added and that we would be receiving tickets to the second show. They thanked us for coming and creating the demand for a second show. All the staff were joking and entertaining the crowd as we waited.

Finally the tickets were procured by 12:30 p.m. All in all about 2.5 hours of my Monday morning of which I had nothing better to do anyway.

Next, I'll report on the show!

Introducing . . . me!

Hello, Readers - I am a 40-something woman living in Metropolitan Detroit. I love living in this area, although for about 4 months of the year, I despise the climate.
My reason for starting this blog is to share my shopping experiences as a petite woman. Finding fashionable, well-fitting, attractive clothing is a challenge for those of us under 5' 3" tall. I, myself, am only 5' tall and weigh about 120 pounds. I'd love to lose 5 pounds, but I'm not really complaining.
I find that, for most clothing brands, I wear a petite-medium and a petite size 8, but some brands do run a little larger or smaller.
Since I love to shop and tell people about my great finds, I hope I can help fellow subhumans (wink) out there by sharing my experiences.
But enough about me . . .

Jay Leno Palace Show Update

Tickets will be available Monday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. Don't bother camping out, the parking lot will not be open until 8:00 a.m. that morning. I also understand that Dominoes Pizza will be on hand feeding those waiting in line (gratis!). Hope to see you in line Monday!

Talbots Update

Out at Talbot's Outlet today to make a return and WOW! The place is packed! Tons of petites. Stuff from the stores, not just crappy seconds. Lots of spring colors: green, orange, blue, pink. I resisted temptation and just made the return. Willpower!!

A Contest and a Freebie

Being one of the many legions on unemployed persons in the Metro Detroit area, I'm always looking for any freebies or good deals available out there.
A couple of things I've heard about lately . . .

First of all, Vizio is giving away $1 million worth of 55-inch HDTVs between now and August, 2009. There are 17 winners each week and the earlier you register, the better your chances of winning. I'm usually wary of things like this, but I get the sense that Vizio is just trying to build awareness of their products. I heard about this on the Ellen Degeneres show - a trustworthy source.
Click here to go to the Vizio manufacturer web site and sign up to win. Good luck!

Also, on the news today, I saw that Jay Leno is doing a free show at the Palace of Auburn Hills on April 7, 2009 for those who are not employed. WDIV reports that refreshments will be provided and parking is also free. Sounds like a good deal to me. Tickets are available starting at 10:00 a.m. on March 16. I'm going to give it a shot. I expect there will be quite a line, so I'll bring a chair and my psych book (I have a test that night). I'll take some pictures and report back later.
Click here for information from WDIV regarding the Free Jay Leno show.

Talbots Outlet

A few years ago, Talbot's was very boxy, stodgy, old-ladyish . . . definitely not hip. We are lucky enough in the Northern suburbs of Detroit to have an outlet in our area. I had not shopped there for years because, while the prices are unbelievable, the styles were just . . . well . . . DULL. Recently while out in that area (north of Great Lakes Crossing on Baldwin Road), I stopped in just out of curiosity (and the jones to shop) and was pleasantly surprised. I actually found some things that were nice, more shaped, and more updated than their styles have been in the past (I mean, seriously, pleated pants?? Tapered legs?? Ick!!).

They have tons of petites! As with any outlet, sometimes you'll find a lot and sometimes its all junk. Just be sure to try everything on before you purchase. They only accept returns within 30 days. Enjoy!

Click here for a map of the Talbot's Outlet location near Great Lakes Crossing.

Lest you misunderstand . . .

I don't think that short people are any less worthy or are some type of hairy-toed creatures from Middle Earth.
The term comes from a family joke. My mother and her sister were once out shopping at a department store and my mother wanted to shop in the petite department. Her sister, who has a particularly quirky sense of humor (aka politically incorrect), referred to the "petite department" as the "subhuman department" to tease my mother. Since then, that's what we've always called it in my family.
So, please do not take offense. It's all in good fun.