Wanted to wish everyone a Happy Independence Day weekend! Friday is the start of the holiday weekend, although I have to work Friday and Saturday. Looks to be a busy weekend for us at work, but I'm looking forward to shopping the 4th of July sales on Sunday and Monday.
We've had a great few days with the stock market, July is coming in with a bang (pun intended), but I don't look for it to last. So I'll be looking to get some deals on stock purchases in the month of July. My first stock purchase for my IRA account will be Kraft Foods (KFT). You already know the name and most likely, like myself, use a lot of their products. Their dividend payout is a little over 3%, so they should make a great long term addition to my retirement account. At the very least I've got 8 1/2 years before I can start taking distributions from the account, so I'm looking to add only stocks I feel comfortable holding for that length of time. Kraft is definitely one of those stocks.
Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday weekend!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
MY BIGGEST SAVINGS TO DATE WITH COUPONS!
Sunday I made my weekly Walgreens trip and scored my largest savings to date. I purchase $178 worth of merchandise for $56 in cash. By taking advantage of advertised sales, manufacturers coupons and register rewards I was able to save around 70% overall. I got several items entirely free with coupons and register rewards including 4 Dove Men Care body wash, 2 Sun laundry detergent (75 loads), 2 Dove Men Care deodorant, 2 Reach toothbrushes and 2 Colgate Total toothpaste. Since I've already accumulated about a years worth of deodorant, body wash and bar soap and about 6 months worth of laundry detergent, I was able to give some of the surplus to family members to save them a little money as well.
While it didn't have anything to do with coupons, I also got the best deal ever on a 27" LCD TV. I've wanted one for a long time, but wanted to wait until the prices went down. Since my televisions both work great, I didn't see any need to replace them right away, so I've held off buying. As it turned out, the guy who rides to work with me bought a larger LCD and gave me his old one free of charge. You just can't beat free! I've decided to put my oldest television in the next yard sale and use the cash to purchase more items for my stockroom.
While it didn't have anything to do with coupons, I also got the best deal ever on a 27" LCD TV. I've wanted one for a long time, but wanted to wait until the prices went down. Since my televisions both work great, I didn't see any need to replace them right away, so I've held off buying. As it turned out, the guy who rides to work with me bought a larger LCD and gave me his old one free of charge. You just can't beat free! I've decided to put my oldest television in the next yard sale and use the cash to purchase more items for my stockroom.
Friday, June 24, 2011
BUYING SHARES OF MERCK & CO. INC.
It's been a slow investment week for me, although I did put in an order to purchase shares of Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK) for my IRA account. Their price is down from the 52 week high of $37.68, their current price being $34.55. With the economy and the stock market slowing I thought now would be a good time to pick up shares. They have a current dividend payout of $1.52 which represents a 4.40% payout on their current price per share. While they stand to lose some in sales due to expiring patents I believe the earnings per share will still be good going forward, with their strong Research and Development Department and share repurchases.
I've owned shares of Merck before in my taxable account and made a tidy profit, both from dividends and capital gains. This time around I'm taking a buy and hold approach, so I'll be investing for the long term.
I've owned shares of Merck before in my taxable account and made a tidy profit, both from dividends and capital gains. This time around I'm taking a buy and hold approach, so I'll be investing for the long term.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
SHOULD MARIJUANA AND COCAINE BE LEGALIZED?
I've written favorably about the legalization of marijuana before. The war on drugs is a lost cause and the sooner we realize it, and stop wasting taxpayers money, the better. Yes it should be restricted, much like tobacco and alcohol. It would create badly needed jobs here at home and put a stop to some of the violence the drug trade is causing in neighboring countries such as Mexico. If you take the money out of the illegal drug trade by making it legal, the black market ceases to exist.
As for cocaine, which some are also advocating legalizing, I think it should only be legalized as a strictly controlled substance. Even then I believe it should only be used for medicinal purposes. What that might be, I have no idea, but I'm sure the R & D departments of some of the major pharmaceutical companies would welcome the chance to find out. At any rate, decriminalisation of currently illegal drugs would undoubtedly be a boon to tax revenues and jobs, and we could definitely use more of both. Although I think all tax revenues from legalization of marijuana and cocaine should be strictly set aside to pay off the national debt. Otherwise I believe tax and spend politicians would piddle away any revenues on pork barrel projects and special interest groups. While we would still benefit from a decrease in drug related crime and violence, why not put the money to good use by reducing the national debt.
I can't very well justify talking about legalizing drugs without some mention of tobacco. Currently I think the tobacco industry is the target of a modern day witch hunt, being blamed for untold deaths and diseases. Don't get me wrong, I quit smoking for health reasons in November of last year and I don't think anybody with any sense would argue that smoking is not bad for your health. However, it gets to be a little ridiculous when people can't even smoke outside (banning smoking in public parks etc.). I mean come on!!!! Do you really think someones cigarette smoke is any more detrimental to your health in a city like New York, where you're breathing in exhaust fumes from hundreds of thousands of automobiles every time you go outdoors? And what about the people who get on their high horses about smoking? Have they given up driving their cars so people won't have to breathe their exhaust fumes? Have they lost weight and gotten into shape so they're not causing a burden to taxpayers for weight related illnesses like cancer and heart disease, which they're so quick to point out are caused by cigarette smoking? I've never heard of cigarette smoking causing diabetes, but obesity has created an alarming upswing in diabetics in the U.S.. Are we going to carry on about tobacco use until we've created another black market to support the drug cartels? Wake up people, we have a lot worse problems than cigarettes.
As for cocaine, which some are also advocating legalizing, I think it should only be legalized as a strictly controlled substance. Even then I believe it should only be used for medicinal purposes. What that might be, I have no idea, but I'm sure the R & D departments of some of the major pharmaceutical companies would welcome the chance to find out. At any rate, decriminalisation of currently illegal drugs would undoubtedly be a boon to tax revenues and jobs, and we could definitely use more of both. Although I think all tax revenues from legalization of marijuana and cocaine should be strictly set aside to pay off the national debt. Otherwise I believe tax and spend politicians would piddle away any revenues on pork barrel projects and special interest groups. While we would still benefit from a decrease in drug related crime and violence, why not put the money to good use by reducing the national debt.
I can't very well justify talking about legalizing drugs without some mention of tobacco. Currently I think the tobacco industry is the target of a modern day witch hunt, being blamed for untold deaths and diseases. Don't get me wrong, I quit smoking for health reasons in November of last year and I don't think anybody with any sense would argue that smoking is not bad for your health. However, it gets to be a little ridiculous when people can't even smoke outside (banning smoking in public parks etc.). I mean come on!!!! Do you really think someones cigarette smoke is any more detrimental to your health in a city like New York, where you're breathing in exhaust fumes from hundreds of thousands of automobiles every time you go outdoors? And what about the people who get on their high horses about smoking? Have they given up driving their cars so people won't have to breathe their exhaust fumes? Have they lost weight and gotten into shape so they're not causing a burden to taxpayers for weight related illnesses like cancer and heart disease, which they're so quick to point out are caused by cigarette smoking? I've never heard of cigarette smoking causing diabetes, but obesity has created an alarming upswing in diabetics in the U.S.. Are we going to carry on about tobacco use until we've created another black market to support the drug cartels? Wake up people, we have a lot worse problems than cigarettes.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
MORE GREAT COUPON SAVINGS ON GROCERIES!
I checked out the grocery store ads today and it looks like Schnucks had the best overall sales. I made a list of sale items I needed, matched up my coupons and headed to the store. This time I filled the cart, getting $76 worth of groceries for $46! My overall savings this trip was a little over 40%. I also got a coupon for $5 off my next purchase for purchasing $15 worth of Kraft products. I plan to use the $5 in conjunction with more manufacturers coupons to stop by tomorrow and pick up six packs of Oscar Meyer and Ball Park franks, which will make the hot dogs almost free!!!
I'll finish up my weekly grocery shopping by picking up the rest of the items I need at Moser's and Gerbes. Moser's has a good 10 for $10 sale going and Gerbes has a great deal on Lays Potato Chips and a buy one get one free deal on steaks. I plan to get produce, salad dressing, bologna, frozen vegetables and croutons at Mosers for around $10. At Gerbes I'll buy steaks and potato chips and I'll stock up on hand soap and deodorant (5 for $5 sale) while they're on sale.
I installed shelving in a large closet off my living room for non-perishable items and I'm beginning to get a good stockpile of items. As for groceries, after tomorrows' shopping, I shouldn't need much for a couple of weeks at least. My freezer and refrigerator as well as all my cabinet space is pretty filled up. I've spent so little money in the past month and I can't remember having so many groceries in my house. I LOVE COUPONS!!!
I'll finish up my weekly grocery shopping by picking up the rest of the items I need at Moser's and Gerbes. Moser's has a good 10 for $10 sale going and Gerbes has a great deal on Lays Potato Chips and a buy one get one free deal on steaks. I plan to get produce, salad dressing, bologna, frozen vegetables and croutons at Mosers for around $10. At Gerbes I'll buy steaks and potato chips and I'll stock up on hand soap and deodorant (5 for $5 sale) while they're on sale.
I installed shelving in a large closet off my living room for non-perishable items and I'm beginning to get a good stockpile of items. As for groceries, after tomorrows' shopping, I shouldn't need much for a couple of weeks at least. My freezer and refrigerator as well as all my cabinet space is pretty filled up. I've spent so little money in the past month and I can't remember having so many groceries in my house. I LOVE COUPONS!!!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
INVESTMENT WEEK IN REVIEW
The stock market finally ended it's weeks long losing streak by closing higher on Friday. Was not a very busy week for my investment accounts. I collected dividends from Calamos (CHY) and Realty Income Corp. (O) and added more shares to my stake in Great Plains Energy (GXP). Otherwise it's been a pretty slow week for me.
I'm sticking with my plan of reinvesting all dividends automatically until the current correction in the market has run its' course. When it begins to look like we're on an upward swing, I'll reset my account to have dividends paid in cash. In the mean time I'll be adding to all my holdings while the prices are low.
I'm sticking with my plan of reinvesting all dividends automatically until the current correction in the market has run its' course. When it begins to look like we're on an upward swing, I'll reset my account to have dividends paid in cash. In the mean time I'll be adding to all my holdings while the prices are low.
SAVED 61% ON MY WALGREENS PURCHASES!!!
Got up early this morning, got my coupons clipped from the paper and made my weekly trip to Walgreens. This trip I purchased several personal care items for my stockpile, soft drinks, pasta and miscellaneous items, which would normally have cost me $27.06. With coupons, register rewards and advertised pricing I saved a total of $16.57 or a little over 61% off my total bill!
Not quite sure, but I think 61% might be the highest percentage off on any of my shopping trips so far. Like I've said before, I may never get to 100%+ savings like some of the people on TLC, but if I can consistently save 30-75% off, I'll be extremely satisfied. By far, the biggest savings for me is how little I eat out anymore. I went from eating out 8 or more times per week to practically 0. The food I fix at home is so much better than what I got at the restaurants. It's healthier, tastier and a whole lot less expensive.
For more printable coupons, I have added links to Coupon Mom and Coupon Cabin on the MBCI link exchange section. Happy Savings!!!
Not quite sure, but I think 61% might be the highest percentage off on any of my shopping trips so far. Like I've said before, I may never get to 100%+ savings like some of the people on TLC, but if I can consistently save 30-75% off, I'll be extremely satisfied. By far, the biggest savings for me is how little I eat out anymore. I went from eating out 8 or more times per week to practically 0. The food I fix at home is so much better than what I got at the restaurants. It's healthier, tastier and a whole lot less expensive.
For more printable coupons, I have added links to Coupon Mom and Coupon Cabin on the MBCI link exchange section. Happy Savings!!!
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