Money | BulgingButtons

November 24, 2015
by BulgingButtons 7 Comments

Five Things I’ve Learned This Week

This week I’ve learned a few things. I like that. Learning is great. I want to do more of it!

Something like this seems sweet and reasonable, but I don’t think this is what some of those new moms have in mind.

Push Present – A gift that a woman receives after giving birth, presumably as a reward for doing a good job carrying and delivering a baby. Sounds a little peculiar to me, but maybe this tradition isn’t as weird as it sounds at first. I think I’d like it to be a token of love to commemorate the milestone of adding a child to the family rather than a reward, but then again, I’m not in charge.

Cherry Eye – A red angry-looking growth that dogs can get near the eye. Apparently it can be surgically removed if the dog is otherwise healthy. Unfortunately it can prevent an otherwise perfect animal from finding a new home.

In work news – The end of this school year will mark twenty years of employment with the state for me. In preparation for filling out financial aid forms for my son, I looked up my retirement information, and was surprised that it had been this long. I was also pleased to learn that I had a little more in my retirement fund than I expected. Not a lot, mind you, but more than I thought.

On the culinary front – My son likes traditional green bean casserole. We haven’t had it the past few Thanksgivings, and I didn’t think anyone missed it, but the other morning he asked if we could have it. I think it’s time to teach him how to make it.

Speaking of Food – All protein bars are not created equal. I was at a different store and they didn’t have the brand I like, so I tried something else. Yuck. Protein bars are pricey, and I was disappointed. I’ll eat them (did I mention that they’re pricey?) but yuck. Clif Builder Bars all the way, baby (chocolate mint is my favorite).

What have you learned lately?

November 23, 2015
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Applications and Tuition and Financial Aid, Oh My!

We recently attended a presentation by an admissions officer from Notre Dame University. Wow. Now I kind of want to go there, but I realize that ship has sailed for me. The thing is, my son kind of wants to go there too, which is great, because it’s a terrific university with so much to offer. But, holy cow, it’s expensive!

Yes, there’s financial aid available, and loans and whatnot, but I don’t want him to begin his adult life saddled with large debts. It’s difficult enough to be out on your own for the first time, responsible for your own bills, without worrying about how you’re going to dig yourself out of a hole created by debt. He’s well aware of this concern, which is why he’s applying for scholarships.

The main one he’s going for is the Naval R.O.T.C. scholarship, which both makes me incredibly proud and a little worried. I think he’ll be accepted, but we won’t know until after he actually applies. The application process for scholarships and universities in general, can be quite involved. There are forms to fill out and questions to answer, and essays to write.

It’s a good thing he’s a good writer. He comes up with interesting responses to the questions he’s faced with, and writes them in a way that’s genuine and direct. I think the reader can get a sense of who he is through his answers, at least I hope so.

I’m trying to stay calm throughout this whole process, since I know that any hysteria on my part would only slow things down. I know he’ll get all of his applications filled in and sent out on time. I know that he will be accepted into a program that will be a good fit for him. I know that it will all work out.

May 27, 2015
by BulgingButtons 4 Comments

The Price of my Starbucks Addiction

I was so excited this morning, because it was my first real day of summer vacation. Yes, I had the long weekend, but I spent one of those days miserable (darn stomach bug) and didn’t really do much the rest of the weekend (except see Pitch Perfect 2 for the second time, omg, I love that movie). Then yesterday I spent the day with my wonderful team, planning for instruction. Not exactly summer vacation mode.

Today, though, was different. Today the day was mine. Yes, there were some things I wanted to do, but I didn’t have anywhere I had to be or anything I had to do. What a wonderful feeling.

Naturally I was up early, because I’m in the habit. That will change soon, though, as I stay up later and later.

I was sorting through the wonderful end of year gifts from my students, and decided that I would download the Starbucks app to consolidate my gift cards. I congratulated myself for figuring out how to do it, then got to thinking about how nice it was to have a bank of free Starbucks treats waiting for me.

I know, this has been an ongoing issue for me. I go cold turkey, then I go back. I’ve done it several times now. Why? Empty calories and lots of money, but oh so yummy.

How much could it add up to? Well, I recently went through my bank statement to figure that out. In a thirty day period I spent exactly $123.45 at Starbucks. That works out to nearly $1500. a year. We could take a vacation for that!

I’m back to thinking that I need to stay away from Starbucks, but my phone is always with me, so if I do find myself there, at least I have credit, thanks to my wonderful students and their parents.