Renter's Insurance

Much like My Pretty Pennies recently asked her readers about car insurance, I'm interested to know about your renter's insurance!

For the past two years, I didn't get renter's insurance. But moving to a new place has definitely made me think about it as a precaution! Unfortunately, I found out that I cannot bundle it with my car insurance due to the fact that I have "too many roommates" according to the company I use. So, that means I need to shop around for a good quote. I'm looking to get about $20,000 in coverage.

How much do you pay, what kind of coverage do you have and would you recommend your renter's insurance company?

Free Samples

I've been getting quite a few free samples in the mail recently! It's really easy to sign up for them and I've received some good things. So far, no spam snail mail but I do get spam e-mail... so I use an old e-mail address when I register. Here are some of my recent freebies:

• Burt's Bees Natural Toothpaste
• Canned tuna + canned tuna chickpea salad
• Mini Thai Cashew Chicken from Panda Express
  
• PowerBar Energy Gel Blasts (still available here)
• Starbucks VIA
• Always Sanitary Pads (+ coupon for a FREE 18-pack!)
  
• SouthBeach Living FiberFit Bar
  

Here's what I'm still waiting for in the mail:

• Organic samples (various? the site wasn't specific...)
  
• Nexxus Shampoo & Conditioner sample (this is a brand I use and love!)
  
• Kraft Sandwich Ship Mayo sample
  
• Other things I can't remember right now! :)
  

For My Love of Reading

Last month, one of my goals was to make a new friend. It didn't happen. I realized that I needed to try a new approach! Most people at work keep to themselves or already seem to have their own social circles/cliques and don't seem to want to let new people like myself in, even when I try to make an effort. A lot of my closest friends moved away after graduation and now some that are around work crazy retail hours so it's difficult to get together.

Since I'd previously forayed into the world of online dating, I figured - why not try that medium to make new friends? I went for it and joined a Meetup group! I found a book club in my area and figured that would be a nice one to start out with.

My first meeting was last night and it was a blast! I joined so suddenly that I didn't even get around to reading the book for this month since the meeting was two days after I joined. However, no one seemed to mind and after the first hour of discussion, the conversation ventured to our own lives, what we do, could we relate to the book, etc. Most women were in their mid-late 20s, so I was definitely the youngest at 23. Even though we are all from various places (including someone from France!) and in different careers, we all share a love of reading! I got along with all the girls very well.

I cannot wait until next month's meetup. If you're looking for a new way to meet people, I would highly recommend the site. I definitely plan on trying out a few other ones like a social group or beach yoga! :)

PF side-note: The book club I joined does have a $1 administrative cost per meeting, and I paid $3 for parking since it was downtown. I made sure to eat before-hand and did not order anything to drink even though the location was a wine bar. So for $4 and 2.5 hours, a fantastic time was had!

A Coupon + Cooking Class!

I've recently discovered a site called Groupon. It reminds me of Restaurants.com, but with different activities at discounts every day, in various cities across the country. My Mom mentioned it to me, after hearing about it on Good Morning America or some other morning news show. Last week, I decided to check it out!

On the day I went to the site, they had a 49% discount for a cooking class in my city! A friend of mine got the same deal, so for $25 each we are going to a 2.5-hour class. Unfortunately, this is not a hands-on class, but one where we get to watch a chef create a 4-course meal. However, we do get appetizers and get to eat the food at the end, plus ask questions/make comments/take notes, etc. I am SO excited and will definitely blog about it after! I think it's a great deal... basically, the same price as going out to a decent meal with friends. :)

(And no, this was not a paid post.)

My Rice Cooker

I recently purchased a rice cooker! I had been wanting one for a while, since I cook a lot of rice: it's cheap, filling, and goes great with a lot of meals. My parents have a rice cooker, my brother in college has one and one of my best friends has one - and they all swear by it! So, I took the plunge and added another kitchen gadget to my collection. (I already have a food processor and a crock pot.)

I did a bit of research and decided to go with the Rival 6-cup Rice Cooker from Target for $16.99 plus tax. It's absolutely adorable and really small, so it fits easily into a cupboard and barely takes up any counter space! With this specific rice cooker, it's very important to follow the instruction booklet it comes with: you need to use the included "rice scoop" and fill it up to the same "water line" as how many scoops you put in, i.e., 1 scoop = "1" on the water line. (Never try to cook the maximum 3 cups uncooked rice in it because, based on the reviews, it's too much for the little guy to handle and will make a mess on your counter!)

I have used it 3x since I bought it: 2x using only 1 scoop of rice and 1x using 2 scoops. The rice has been perfect each time! I think brown rice might take a bit longer to cook, but I've only used white basmati rice so far. It's perfect for a single person or a couple, because it makes enough to eat plus some leftovers.

It also comes with a vegetable steamer on top (not pictured). I have used it to steam peas, edamame and green beans - all frozen and thrown in the veggie steamer about 5-10 minutes after I started cooking the rice. Next I'll try steaming some potstickers.

It's so easy and I'm very happy with my purchase! :)

Taxes 101

This is my first year filing taxes! In the past, while I was in college, my parents always took care of doing my taxes since I was a dependent.

But now, my time has come! Today, I received the first of a few tax forms headed my way: my 1099 from Chase (formerly WaMu) for my measly interest that I accrued during 2008. My 1099 forms for my ING accounts will be available online at the end of the month, as will my W-2 from my job. I already contacted my on-campus job where I worked from February-June '08 and that W-2 will be mailed out to me.

I plan on using Free File for my federal return (probably TaxAct, from what I've read) but I can't decide if I should do my state return on my own or pay the $13.95. Hmm.

Suze Says: Dollar-Cost Averaging

On Saturday's episode, Suze Orman discussed dollar-cost averaging. Most pf bloggers know that dollar-cost averaging is a great way to invest in the stock market. Suze reiterated how important it is to continue to dollar-cost average even through turbulent markets such as these.

Definition, from Investopedia.com: "The technique of buying a fixed dollar amount of a particular investment on a regular schedule, regardless of the share price. More shares are purchased when prices are low, and fewer shares are bought when prices are high."

Most people use dollar-cost averaging without even thinking about it: 401k elections are taken out with each paycheck, which is automatic dollar-cost averaging!

I dollar-cost average with my 401k and my Roth IRA with bi-weekly contributions of $75 and $100, respectively.

Yelp!

I enjoy reading reviews on Yelp and trying to find new places to go, whether it is for restaurants or specialty stores or what have you.

I did a search for "oil change" in my zip code since I like to keep my car running well. I found a place that has 6 reviews (all 5 stars!), a family-owned small auto repair shop. I just called to make an appointment and see their pricing - an oil change for my Honda Civic is $12.99! Plus tax, that should come to an even $14. I almost can't believe how good of a deal this is. I had budgeted $35 since I usually take my car to Jiffy Lube... this will be a great find if all goes well on Saturday! :)

**Update: I just got back from getting my oil changed. The family-run shop ended up not working out, unfortunately. I arrived and there was zero parking, I got in line and stood there for 15 minutes without being acknowledged - so I walked out and went to the Jiffy Lube next door. I was served right away and it took less than 15 minutes. Still, instead of only costing $14... I paid $38.54. I wasn't harassed about changing my air filter and the employees were very nice. I feel better about my car now and am happy with the fast service. Even if the price is horrific.

"Price Protectr"

One of my friends* sent me an e-mail letting me know about a website called PriceProtectr since they know I am interested in anything pf-related. I decided to check it out, and it looks really neat!

Basically, many stores offer what they call "price protection policies" which you may or may not know about. (I didn't.) Here's the deal: If you purchased an item at one of the stores listed on the website here, and the price dropped within a specific price protection period, you are eligible for money back! (10-15 days seems the norm, some are longer such as 30 days.) However, you yourself need to monitor the price to see if it changes, but that is what this site is for - you go to the website of the store you purchased the item from (some only support in-store purchases) and find the link to the item you bought on the website. Then, if there is a change in the item's price, PriceProtectr will e-mail you! There are over 100 very common stores which use this policy, including Costco and Target, and you can also write a review based on the experience. This is the link on how to use the site, step-by-step.

I will have to try to remember about it when I buy items from these stores to see if I can ever get a refund. Let me know if it ever works for you by sending me an e-mail to themoneymaus [at] gmail [dot] com. I've already entered a few items today that I picked up at Target - I'll be posting if it works!

(*No, this is not a pay-per-post or any sort of advertisement! I am just a fellow pf blogger trying to help out others!)