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.