Skip to main content

Don't Be Jealous, But Do Go Green

I am so popular. I get MULTIPLE phone calls per day from numbers I don’t recognize–so many I don’t even have time to answer them all and chat. They are SO concerned about my car warranty. I also get lots of mail from my adoring fans–more than I have time to read–many of which want to “give” me some money (well, credit, anyway)! And they are SO dedicated...even when I move 4 times in less than 2 years, they still manage to find me!

In case you couldn’t tell, that was my attempt at sarcastic humor. By the way, don't fall for the money giveaway thing. Just burn those "checks" that come in the mail. While I do get a few scam calls during the day, I just turn my Android phone face down and it mutes the ringing (iPhone users, don't despair, I think you can enable this feature too). The mail? I shred and recycle it. Like you, I’m annoyed at the waste of paper and postage from unsolicited correspondents. What to do?

There are “Do Not Call” lists that you can get on, and I think some even work. But if you want to save a few trees, try this: OptOutPrescreen.com. Make sure you complete the process if you want to eliminate the unwanted mailers that your postal carrier leaves in your box. Then check out Wattson’s Financial Calendar for more tips for 2022. 

And while you’re feeling earth-friendly, the next time you log in to your bank’s website, change your statement selection and “go paperless.” Get your reports sent digitally. Future generations will thank you.   

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

One More–Christmas Experiences Part II

Christmas is just a week away. Hopefully you’ve checked everything off your to-do list and can spend some quality time “experiencing” Christmas gifts with your family. Because, after all, your loved ones will be far more touched by how you made them feel than they will be with what you gave them. This week, I want to share with you my sister, Carey’s, family Christmas experience. “One Christmas, when my boys, now 18, 23 and 28, were little, we gave them an experience that is still talked about now. And it’s something so easily replicated that any family can do it, and it’s not too late to do it for Christmas (even ON Christmas) this year. We drove around our neighborhood and looked at all the homes decorated for the holiday. We took note of the addresses as we numbered them. We talked about what made each ornamented yards stand out. And at the end of the night, we voted for our favorite. I had my sons help me make some of our favorite holiday desserts and, in addition to taking p...

It Happens Like That

And, in what seems like the blink of an eye, Memorial Day is over, school is out (or almost out), and my favorite time of the year is here! I love summer. I love it when the sun comes up early and wakes me. I love flip flops and shorts. I like to be warm (ok, not HOT, but warm). This is when I thrive. And I think it’s an excellent time to take a vacation or road trip. That being said, I plan a long time in advance for a vacation because I won’t finance one–and I’ve taken some pretty amazing vacations! I don’t usually just take off on last-minute road trips, either, but I’m learning to be more flexible in my old age. So I have done that on occasion, too.  Now, this blog post isn’t about the last-minute drives I’ve engaged, cruises I’ve embarked, or the countries I’ve explored (being a debt-free, self-employed, budget-loving, young, empty-nester has its perks!). This post is about getting you to a point where you, too, can take vacations without stressing about paying for it late...

Timing is Everything

I was told that a good time to buy a car is January or February. Why? I would guess it’s because many people are financially destitute right after Christmas (because they have not yet been introduced to my blog!) so car sales are down. I do think there is another reason. I think that most people have yet to file their taxes and receive their tax returns (a.k.a. overpayment that they loaned interest-free to the government ) with which they plan to make a down payment. Now it’s March, and many people have already filed their taxes and received said overpayment that we common-folk refer to as a return, and it’s burning a hole in their pockets. This can be good news for you if you have things you want to sell. Now is the time to capitalize on the extra influx of cash. What do you have around your house that you no longer use that you can sell? Speaking as someone who has done this very thing, I must warn you. Selling stuff you don’t need anymore and collecting the cash can be addicting...