Chase Nightmare

So, I used to bank with WaMu. Happy with them, no problems, friendly service. Now, though, with Chase, I expected some problems. There've been a few, but today's debacle tells me I need a new bank.

I've got a small business and have a business debit card. It stopped working (was rejected, despite there being plenty of money in the account). It's not expired, just doesn't work.

So, I called them up. Got bounced to EIGHT different people, including one who wanted to transfer me to a division I'd already talked to! I took down the phone number which is how I knew it was a repeat.

Throughout the call, the audio quality deteriorated until at the end, I was practically shouting to be heard.

This is simply not the way to do business. Each representative told either "oh, that's a WaMu account, I have to transfer you" or "Oh, that account has already been converted to Chase, I'll have to transfer you".

No one even came close to solving my problem.

School Supply Time

It's that time of year, yes indeed. Back to school is in the air and all the big box stores are having sales on back-to-school supplies. We've had our lists for a month now and I've kept them handy for checking the sales.

Thanks to good deals at Staples, Target and Walgreens, I have all that my kids will need for back to school, with the exception of baby wipes. Still waiting on a good sale for those.

Keep an eye on Money Making Mom, A Full Cup and Chief Family Officer for deals and links.

Taking a Break from the Drugstore Game

I'm taking a summer break from the Drugstore Game. I used my last Walgreens Register Reward the other day (for Haagen Daaz--on sale 2/$5). I'm stocked up on pasta sauce, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shaving gel, hair gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and tuna fish.

The only item I see us running low on is sunscreen. That I'll get on sale or at Costco.

How to save $80 in an hour

I just colored my hair this morning. I'm prematurely grey and unfortunately, it does not suit me. So, I color my hair. I used to go to a salon, pay $80+ (yes, around here, I'd pay close to that even if I went to a beauty school--go figure!), and do it all again in 6 weeks.

I hate going to the salon.

So, I started doing it myself. I use L'Oreal Excellence (the pink box). I tried Preference (the gold box) one time, but I guess it's not really meant to cover grey because a) it didn't and b) it left my hair dry as a slice of leftover pizza.

I color about every 5 weeks, let's say 10 times a year. If I went to the salon, that would be about $900, depending on how much I tipped, and which salon.

Since I watch the sales, and since I use the same color, I can stock up. Recently Walgreens had an in-store $2 off coupon which I used along with a $2 off manufacturer's coupon, making my final price only $5.99 + tax per box of color. Say $6.50 total. Times ten, that's $65. That's right, for less than the cost of ONE salon visit, I can color my hair for an entire YEAR.

It takes about an hour, start to finish. It would take at least that long at the salon, plus the waiting around ahead of time. And did I mention that I hate going to the salon?

It's a new month

Do you know where you money is going?

If you don't already do so, keep all your receipts for a month. Every single one. Gas, food, that quick stop at Krispy Kreme, oil changes, etc. etc. Keep them all.

It's Earth Day!

My top tip for Earth Day? Don't buy anything you don't need!

Great deals at Safeway/Vons

Thanks to Chief Family Officer, I saved a bundle today at Safeway.

For every $30 (Before Coupons!) you spend on products designated Living Well, you will receive a $10 Catalina coupon at checkout. That's effectively getting $30 of groceries for only $20. Now, if you also use some coupons, you get even better savings.

I stocked up on Electrosol dishwasher soap and pasta sauces; the detailed list of participating brands is here. Note that not all varieties of each brand will count toward the $30 total so check the signs carefully.