Cash Chat with your host Keira Knightly! *

[drewbear]

So by now most people who chose direct deposit for their IRS rebates have their money and the paper checks are being sent out soon. So let's get a little personal, hmm? Inspired by this site, I decided to run down how I used my rebate money:

1) Deposit just over 1/3 of it into my original savings account.
2) Use $100 to open a new, higher-yield but deposit-limited savings account.
3) $100 towards extant loans. Yay, extra payment this month!
4) 3 books from Barnes & Noble (including Nurk), a pair of jean shorts from Kmart, eBay, some pizza and some "personal items" whose exact nature I won't mention here.

Since I'm slightly ahead on my loan payments and I'm getting the PTO I cashed in for my birthday on this paycheck, I may send some money towards Kiva. It looks like a good organization.

*...yeah, I don't know where that title came from either.

Comments

[drewbeartx.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I figured that REI's prices were high. (A high-end specialty store selling things at ridiculously above-market-price costs? Say it ain't so!) Where'd you get yours, or are they Army issue?

Yeah, I'm trying to make sure that any hard equipment I buy is multipurpose. I.e. they won't sit in my closet gathering dust awaiting the apocalypse.

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

Do you bike and stuff? Get a camelbak pack. I used these in Iraq and they're invaluable. Water is compulsory.

Like I said, I might have an extra one for you. Just email me and I'll send it to you: while I kept your note I seem to have lost your address.

[drewbeartx.livejournal.com]

I don't bike yet, but a bicycle is top of the list of big-ticket items I'm gonna get. I'll keep the camelpak in mind once I get started.

[ginmar.livejournal.com]

Get baskets for the bike, too. And a decent tent, if it comes to that. Tube tents are good for mild conditions, but if you can camp out now and then to get used to it, that's not bad at all. Camp out in your yard if you have to. Definitely get a sleeping mat. I swear by this silk sleep sack I've got; avoid any polyester blends. Silk is warm when it's cool, and cool when it's warm.

Don't forget vitamins and things like that.

Oh, hell, just head up here. As long as you're okay with fluffy cats hugging you and stuff, you'll be fine.