So I’ve made it back to sunny Southern California, and I have not yet gotten used to the time difference or the giant glowing thing that hovers in the sky. Oh, and the exorbitant prices of everything! One trip to the supermarket is all it takes to remind me that there’s about a 70% markup out here, compared to Rochester. I’ve already refused to buy anything but food – and even on that front, I packed some non-perishables from my cupboard into my suitcase, to cut down on the amount The Fella and I have to buy.

Not to mention the fact that we got a parking ticket within the first 24 hours of me being here.

Still, I feel pretty good about our efforts to save money, despite being in this city of excess. Yesterday we ate lunch at Subway for a total of $8.00, and went grocery shopping… with a list! And didn’t buy anything that wasn’t on it!

Since the two of us are both trying to clean up our finances, I developed a little game that I hope we both stick to. You see, both of us have credit card debt equaling 80% of our credit limit. So the game is this: a race to see who can pay off all their credit card debt and THEN open an ING Orange Savings  account with $250 (to get the $25 bonus). I think it’s a pretty fair race, since we both have the same percentage of debt (compared to our line of credit), and even though he makes more than I do (and it will still be more even after I get a job), he has more expenses than I do.

Hopefully, a little friendly competition will kick us both into gear.

The job search is still on! Here’s a few things I’ve been itching to do, but am putting off until I have employment (and paychecks!):

1) Get a Bank of America Savings Account with Keep The Change. I already have a checking account with them, but their savings accounts require either a fee or a $25 a month automatic transfer from your checking. I’m not comfortable committing to that transfer until I have gainful employment. However, the whole point of it is to take advantage of the tasty Keep the Change deal. After some good money accumulates in there (between the Keep the Change and the automatic transfers), I’ll move the money over to my Emigrant account to get even better returns.

2) Apply for a card with a 0% interest rate on balance transfers for one year, roll my debt onto it, and pay it as fast as possible. Pretty self explanatory. There’s two reasons I’m waiting on this: first of all, to be able to fill out the “Employer” section on the credit application will make me feel a lot better, and probably improve my chances of getting the card approved at a large enough credit limit. Also, I want to make sure that I’ll have enough money coming in to pay off the balance before the 0% rate expires.

3) Buy some DevaCurl products. Ok, first of all, this is my little treat for getting a job. Secondly, this might save me some money in the long run, according to English Major. Most of all, I want to see if I can’t just find some better products for my curls!

4) Take my car to the mechanic. Alright, I’ll admit it: I’m driving around with the “check engine” light on. But the mechanics didn’t find anything wrong with it when I had it inspected, and I haven’t had the money to fix it, if there is something wrong. If I want to keep whatever job I get, I’ll need to keep my ride in ship-shape… er… car-shape?

5) Get this blog a domain. It’s only $10 a year. And I think the poor girl (get it? “Poorer Than You” – “poor girl?” Hahaha, I’m so easily amused) deserves to start spreading her wings a bit.

While the biggest buzz for a Harry Potter book comes on release day, the second biggest has got to be when they announce said release day – and the name of the book. You can’t escape the announcement – the final book will be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the release is slated for July 21st of this year.

I’ve been a fan of the series for the past seven years – the books still deliver, as far as I’m concerned, although I was sorely disappointed in the fourth movie (I think it was too confusing and disjointed for non-readers). However, with this becoming one of the world’s greatest franchises, are we paying too much?

The assertion that we are was made on the discussion page for the new book.

R. Dennis says:

I can’t believe how much it is!! That is even more than an adult hardback.

You would think someone from her background would have more feelings for people without a lot of money…

Yes, I know no one pays full price but it is still riduculous.

With the pre-order currently listed at $18.89, down from the List Price of $34.99, is this book too expensive? Keep in mind that the book is probably about 700 pages.