How I Shop

I don't like shopping. Not just clothes shopping, but any kind of shopping. If at all possible I like to order things online instead of visiting a brick and mortar store. This has been to my advantage since I've been ill and thus stuck at home all day.

When I do have to visit a "real" store it is usually for one of 4 reasons:

1. Groceries. It's pretty difficult around here to shop for groceries online. We also lack any kind of ice cream delivery service, depressingly.
2. I need new clothes. Some clothes I'm able to buy online, but often times new work clothes have to be bought at a physical store to make sure they are flattering.
3. We need something that can't be found online, that would cost too much to ship, or is cheaper to buy in person. Usually before this happens we do whatever comparison shopping we can online first.
4. There's a deadline. Sometimes we just can't wait for something to be shipped, and can't afford overnight or second day delivery. In these cases we have no choice but to go searching through brick and mortar stores hoping we can find it that way.

Getting into Swagbucks has actually made my online shopping habit worse. Instead of going to Target and buying my sister's wedding gift off of her registry, I was able to buy the exact same thing on Amazon using the gift cards I've earned. If only I could buy *everything* on Amazon.

Why am I telling you this? Check out [this post] for explanation.

Just part of my 99%

As some of you know, I applied for a promotion at work several weeks ago. I recently found out that I did not get it. Instead the position was given to another internal candidate from Tallahassee who has been with the company several years longer than I have. Despite how long he's been with the company, I still know more about *our* store than he does, but I digress. He's a nice enough guy and I'm sure he deserved it.

I have since decided that although I did not get this position, it is very important that I find full time employment. We need more money. I need health insurance. I am not going to school over the summer so I'll certainly have the time. So if my local readers know of anything, I would appreciate you letting me know.

I know that saying I'm looking for a new job publicly on the internet can be risky. I'm not too worried about it though as my boss (and hers) already know what I have decided. There is a chance that my position will be converted into a full time one in order for me to stay, but I am certainly not counting on it.

Swagbucks

Near the beginning of March I started my account with Swagbucks.com (note: this is my referral link). At first I was skeptical and thought it might be a pyramid scheme, but now I'm really glad I stuck with it.

Since I started my account I have earned enough swagbucks to get $10 in Amazon.com gift cards and am halfway to my next $5. This was done all on my own without the help of any referrals. Whenever I search the web I use their search engine first, and if I don't find what I'm looking for I try the search engine I used before. Each time you search you have a chance to win up to 50 bucks (at least, that's the most I've seen). I usually make about 10. Those of you who are on my facebook have probably seen the posts from when I've won bucks this way.

There are also "free" bucks you can earn everyday by taking the poll, going through the NOSO path, and visiting the Trusted Survey page. I also take the surveys if I've got more than a 50% chance of qualifying. For 15 minutes of answering questions about which movies I want to see I can get 100 bucks, so why not? They also have tons of videos you can watch on the site, giving you three bucks every time you watch 10 (most I've watched were under 2 minutes long and you can still do other stuff while they play).

Right now they are doing Mom Madness on their blog. Every week day you can earn 6 bucks by voting for your favorite mom, until the ultimate mom is crowned winner. It's fun and interesting to see who wins each round; the bucks are just the icing on the cake.

I really suggest those who search the web a lot like I do (and even those who don't) sign up for this service. I would love for you to use my link as they match all referrals first 1000 bucks (which equals to ~$12 in gift cards) but I'm not suggesting *just* because I would benefit. I'd feel bad keeping this opportunity to myself.

Hoodie-Footies

Someone posted about these on one of the message boards I frequent. For just $99.99 I could get two of the things I've been wanting (but not enough to actually buy)!

You get one set of hoodie-footie pajamas. That's right, footie pjs for grown ups! They even have a set for the whole family. After coming back from Mexico, my feet are really hating this cold. Much more practical for lounging than the Snuggie, if you ask me.

You also get a pair of PajamaJeans! They look like jeans, but feel like pj pants. These would be perfect for wearing to Winn-Dixie since Josh refuses to be seen in public with me while wearing my other pjs haha.

Too bad I just spent a bazillion dollars on a cruise. :( Someone give me $100! XD

Yes, I know my birthday was in March, but...

Along with my mother's graduation, there are two other big events this weekend. First is my very belated birthday party taking place tomorrow night. Yes, my birthday was in March, what of it? I've been struggling with various health issues since then. My body has just now decided it would do what it is supposed to for once. So yay me! We just got Rock Band 2 for the Wii off craigslist (the whole set - drums, guitar, mic, and game - for only $50!) so we'll probably be playing some of that. As you can see by my lovely camera phone picture of the TV screen, I've already decked out my character in nerdy goodness. I seriously want to go as her for Halloween (or maybe Angel, you know I love me some zebra print).

Then on Sunday is Mother's Day! Whooo! Mom, Sierra, Felicia, Josh, and I are all going to see Iron Man 2 and then going to lunch. I had told my mother I was getting her some new mixing bowls as well, but when we found out we would not be getting our school money until June that kinda put a stop to that idea. Should I get the job at B-A-M I'll get them then. What is everyone else doing for Mother's Day?

Jobs = ♥

So a few weeks ago Josh found out that he would be losing his job up at the school over the summer. I had finished my Census job and had yet to find a new one. But that was okay, because in the middle of May we would be getting our scholarship, grant, and/or loan money for the summer semester and we had enough in savings to make it till then. At least, we thought we did.

Monday Josh was told that if you have any classes in Summer C (Summer A is the full semester, B is the first six weeks, and C is the second 6 weeks) you would not be getting any money until C started. We both have classes in Summer C. Oh crap. We have barely enough money to get through this month, but certainly not until the end of June. >.<

Well yesterday I finally got to talk to the hiring manager at Book-A-Million and it looks like I'll be getting an interview with them! She said that she does her interviews on Mondays, but she'll be out of town next week, so I should expect a call Saturday or Sunday to set up an interview for the 17th. I'm fairly confident that if she does call I'll get the job since I love books so much. On the other hand, I don't have any retail experience... I guess we'll just have to see. But this is as close to getting a new job as I've gotten so far haha.

Then today more good news! They've changed their minds at the school and Josh gets to stay over the summer! One of his classes got cancelled so now he's got enough free day-time hours to make it worth it to them. Yay! I always love it when I get news that means I won't have to starve.