I am not sure about your workplace but mine finally feels back to normal!  Everyone is back from vacation refreshed, and things are back in full swing.  It’s oddly comforting, despite the fact that I would rather still be on vacation.

I got some very good news for the new year.  No, it is not that I got my well deserved but overdue raise at work (I wish)… I found out my FICO score went up over 50 points.  It may not seem like a big achievement to most people but I have learned the hard way how important it is to have a strong credit score and my hard work is finally paying off.  Your credit score is how the world judges your financial stability and when you are marked with “needs improvement” your goals, especially in this economy, are going to get harder and harder to reach.

Think you aren’t affected by a lower score?  Your score is checked whenever you buy a car, buy a house, apply for life insurance, open a credit card, get a cell phone, even apply for a job a lot of times.  For those of us with not-so-spotless credit records (mine was courtesy of the an obscene amount of medical bills when I had no health insurance) these blemishes represent higher interest rates, which can equal a lot of money or even cost you the ability to get a loan at all .

Let’s put it this way, in the Dec 08 those who wanted to buy a house and had a credit score in the top 33 percent were paying  6% for a $300,000 mortgage.  The average borrower would pay at least 7%.  That extra 1 % in interest works out to $50,000 difference in interest over a 30 year loan, paid at the front end.  Most people don’t really notice how the lower score translates into dollars … a lot more dollars.  Since I want to buy a new house in the next three years my number one goal is to get my score as high as possible, because bottom line is, it will cost me a lot more money if I don’t or I wont be able to get a loan at all even.

While any score above 750 is acceptable, the best loans go to those above 780 (for the FICO illiterate the scale is from 300 to 850). Good news is that you can get your credit report absolutely free every six months from all three major credit reporting agencies; Experion, Equifax and Trans Union (try this website).  Bad news is that your credit score is not free (usually $7 - $10 per company), but is totally worth the money!  I didn’t know when I first started tracking my score was that all three companies can have very significant differences in what they report, so get reports and scores from all three agencies.   While Trans Union is honoring me with an outstanding score, over 750, Equifax is still only giving me a 695.  Equifax is deducting for one late payment on a credit card in 2003 that I don’t even remember!  This is a good example of why it is so important to make sure every bill is on time and that you follow your credit report closely to catch errors.

So make your New Years Resolution to get your credit report and your credit score (all three!).  It is important to know where you stand, especially if you plan to get a loan, buy insurance or apply for jobs in the next 7 years!

For those who are making this resolution or maybe want to improve your credit score I will be following up with more tips and info about your credit report and score so stay tuned!

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J Crew Mini Mirror-Metallic Blank Notebooks, $9.99

iLuck Braided Good Luck Charm Bracelet, $26

Henri Bendel Gilt Trip lip gloss set, $28

 Express Crinkle Scarf, $29.50 (Buy 1, Get 1 %50 Off)

Gap cable Knit Slippers, $14.99

UrbanOutfitters Birds on Branch Jewelery Stand, $20

Urban Outfitters Monogrammed Mug, $8 (Bonus if you fill it with red and green Hershey Kisses)

Anthropologie Stockholm Floral Apron, $28

Point Rewards Cards

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One of my problems is that I am a clutz and lack any grace.  So in heels I wobble and trip.  I look like I am walking with a broom up my butt because I am trying to keep steady all the time.  The other issue is that for some reason I am slightly in between sizes.  An 8 falls off my foot when I try to walk but a 7 1/2 often cramps my toes, leading to severe blisters.

I have tried Cushies (silicone pads that you wear under the balls of your feet), Peds, and other stick-on blister blockers.  None of them work!  I have heard foot petals are great but I can’t find them anywhere.  I really don’t know how Budget Chic does it everyday!

I have been on the search for a cute pair of heels that I can actually wear and walk in and I finally found a couple of pairs! I stopped in Marshall’s and found some really great options for really good prices.  They have revamped their “Shoe Mega Shop” and have increased their stock of shoe styles and brands.  They had everything from Coach slip-ons at a really great price to classic Nine West heels for half their original cost.  I ended up buying two pairs of shoes for $50!

I am walking around the store with two pairs of shoes in my hand (a pair of Nine West flats with a silver buckle & the Nine West peep-toe heels above) and they announce that they are giving an extra 20% off of clearance items.  The peep-toes happened to be on clearance so I only paid $20 for a pair of genuine leather shoes. Damn, I love a deal.

This pair of Bandolinos have a heel of the perfect height.  Not too high, but just high enough that they still are dressy.  I wore them last night to a Christmas party without a problem.  I can’t wait t go back when I have more money and get the cute flats with the buckle.

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When you live in Florida the nights can get more than a little warm and stuffy.  All Floridians run the ceiling fan all night long if they know what’s good for them.  But sometimes that is just not enough.  I often wake up with my nose stuffed and my feet hot, as if I am wearing wool socks to bed.  But now I have found The Chillow (sounds cheesy but I assure you they are not paying me to write this).

You know when you wake up in the night feeling warm and clammy and you flip your pillow so you can put your face up against the cool side?  Well, using the Chillow makes your pillow cool all night long - no need for flipping!  It’s a vinyl pillow that you fill with a few cups a water.  The physics of the water, a padded core and lack of air inside the vinyl pillow make it cool all of the time.  Just slide their pillow under your pillow case. It’s not cold like ice, more like the temperature of a cool ceramic tile up against your face.  It really is the most soothing night’s rest.

Not to sound like Goldilocks, but my opinion is that the Chillow is a little too hard to use alone as a pillow, although you could, so I actually slide it under my pillow at night.  While I sleep, one arm under the pillow, my body is slightly cooled by my Chillow. My other fave use is sliding it to the end of my bed to rest my feet on. Once my feet are cooled my whole body feels more comfortable.

How soothing it would be for a woman going through menopause kept up at night by changing body temperatures, or when you go to sleep with a mild headache?  Coolest thing the makers of the Chillow have come up with is a Canine Cooler for dogs that like to lounge on the cool kitchen tile.  They have an oversize mat, that works just like the pillow and cools your pet.

At $39.95 it is a pretty inexpensive way to get a night’s beauty sleep — literally.

Correction 12/19/08: I mentioned in my post the the Chillow was made of vinyl.  Technically this is not true, I was just trying to give you an idea of what the surface felt like.  For those of you with sensitive skin, the Chillow made from a latex free medical grade material that is safe to use up against your skin.

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I totally treated myself this week for my birthday and bought myself this set six lipglosses from Smashbox at Ulta.  They are on sale for $29 and worth every penny!  I love every single shade in the box, all just hint of color and sparkle, and they have a yummy cotton candy scent. Six glosses split amongst your girlfriends’ stockings would be a great gift.

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Your monthly guest post from Rather Be Shopping …

As we near the middle of November, I have been getting inundated with some great online coupons that I wanted to share. There is absolutely no reason to pay full price on your Christmas shopping this year, especially when you shop online. I have noticed that retailers are really trying to spur on their sales by offering some great incentives. If you are planning on heading out on Black Friday, my best advice is to research, plan, and stay disciplined in order to avoid those impulse purchases. Oh, and also bring a snack, only rookies shop at the food court.

Hopefully you can use one of these online coupon codes to get money off your order or get free shipping! If your favorite store is not listed, please drop me an email and I will do my best to personally track down a coupon for you. Happy savings!

American Eagle Outfitters

Get 20% off your $50+ online order

Coupon Code: 49234198

Expiration: 11/15/08

See All: American Eagle Coupons

Ann Taylor.com

Save 20% off your entire online purchase

Coupon Code: 92400415

Expiration: 12/15/08

See All: Ann Taylor Coupons

Banana Republic.com

Save 20% off your $125 or more online purchase

Coupon Code: CELEBRATE

Expiration: 11/13/08

See All: Banana Republic Coupons

GAP.com

Get 25% off your ’On Sale’ Merchandise online purchase

Coupon Code: EXTRA25

Expiration: 11/14/08

See All: Gap Coupons

JCPenney.com

Get 20% off your entire online purchase

Coupon Code: MERRY

Expiration: 11/19/08

See All: JCPenney.com Coupons

Nike Store.com

Get Free Shipping on your online purchase (No minimum purchase required)

Coupon Code: GIVENIKE

Expiration: 12/20/08

See All: Nike Coupons

Nordstrom.com

Free Shipping when you spend $100 or more

Coupon Code: HOLIDAY08

Expiration: 12/19/08

See All: Nordstrom Coupons

Shoebuy.com

Get 10% off your order + Free shipping and no tax

Coupon Code: RBS10

Expiration: 11/30/08

See All: Shoebuy Coupons

Smart Bargains.com

Get 10% off your entire online purchase thru this link

Coupon Code: None Needed

Expiration: 11/15/08

See All: Smart Bargains Coupons

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Krispy Kreme would like to reward you when you come in wearing your “I Voted” sticker with a free doughnut.  A “patriotic” doughnut!

Ben & Jerry’s have also decided to reward you for voting and is giving away a free scoop of ice cream from 5pm - 8pm.

Starbucks is also giving out a free tall cup of brewed coffee as well on November 4th.

If you aren’t voting … well, then you don’t deserve free stuff, so stay home.

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Has anyone been watching Real Housewives of Atlanta?  Wow.  I am addicted to this show now. They really tried their hardest to find the most conceited bunch of women available in Atlanta didn’t they (not that we would bother watching if they weren’t).   Specifically, Kim, Sheree and NeNe.

Kim, the 29 year old (cough. maybe ten years ago) aspiring country singer who doesn’t sing, really annoys me.  Mostly because of that rats nest of fake hair sitting on top of her head.  But also because she is teaching her kids what it is like to be a “kept” woman to a man she calls “Big Papa” who doesn’t live with them, doesn’t want to be pictured with them, but buys her lots of diamonds.  Speaking of which, have you heard the rumor as to who “Big Papa” is?  Way to build self esteem in your girls.  Then last episode in which she befriends Sheree was basically an entire hour of the two narcissistic friends telling each other how beautiful and talented each other were.  It made me sick when they looked into each others eyes and said “can you imagine what it would be like NOT to be beautiful”.  GAG!

Sheree is the one who is divorcing her NFL husband for “seven figure lump sum” so her “kids can have the same lifestyle if not better than they had before”.  Cut to her trying on Jimmy Choos hand delivered to her home by her “shoe stylist”.  Maybe she means her lifestyle should stay the same.

NeNe is my favorite!  Sure she has a big mouth, says all the wrong things, and is a helpless gossip but I must defend her.  Kim, if you know that you friend NeNe hates your friend Sheree STOP INVITING THEM TO HANG OUT TOGETHER WITH YOU.  You are not “stuck in the middle”.  NeNe has always been upfront about her feelings (as extreme as they may be) and at least she is honest, so do her the favor of not dragging her nemesis along everytime you hang out.  You will save yourself and her a lot of grief.

Great I am talking to the characters as if I know them now.  That is sad.

Okay.  So also have caught up on True Blood as well. I embarrassed to admit I just finished the book Twilight by Stephenie Meyer and I loved it.  Yes, I know that it is a teen romance… sort of… but I can’t help it.  Who wouldn’t like a romance that has hot vampires in it?  So I may just be coming off the high of the book but I am really liking True Blood.  It also has a hot vampire and a romance, the perfect combination, and a murderer in the town to boot.  But I have to admit that I am a little curious where it is going to go once they catch the murderer.  I think they need another hot vampire

The only thing that continuosly bugs me on the show is Anna Paquin’s boobs.  Why do her boobs have to be so close to her neck??  It bothers me because mine are so big they are closer to my waist than my neck, which is distressing. Hers are so high it perplexes me.  Is that just a crazy wonder bra?? Does it come in a D cup?

Okay, so Heroes.  Loving the new season of villians but is anyone else scared of Suresh now?  What is he supposed to be The Fly?  Why wont they explain why he puts people into the cocoon?  Is he feeding on them?  They have yet to say.

Anybody think that Claire is wearing weave now.  In the first few episodes of this season it looks like her real hair is only about chin length and sticks out over the weave.

I have also caught up on all of my Brothers & Sisters, Hills, and Desperate Housewives.  I have a serious TV addiction. You can see why I need my DVR so badly now.

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This week is the first week that I have panicked about the economy.

I know.  You are thinking, the market has been up and down for a while now and you are just now starting to worry?  All the frugality and personal finance bloggers have been preparing for the worst, building emergency savings for months now.  And I have been spending as usual.  Even as I watched magazine ad sales fall steadily I still figured that I was a necessary piece of the puzzle at my job, and I was safe.

Then Friday at about 4pm I heard a woman on our staff walk around the office saying goodbye to fellow employees because she had just been let go.  True, she works in a whole different department and I barely know her, but I still couldn’t stop thinking … maybe my job is next.  You never really know when a layoff is going to happen.  You may hear rumors but you never really know until it happens.

The other art director on my magazine (my better half) is going on maternity leave in about a week.  My head has been spinning.  What if my company realizes they only need one of us when she comes back?  She has seniority so she would be the obvious choice to keep, right?  What if my magazines keep going down in size and number of issues?  Won’t that mean less work between us?  More reason to let one go?

I have been saving up t redo my kitchen.  Mr. Juicefairy and I are about half way there.  Now I am panicking, thinking maybe we should hold off?

But on the other hand I really have not one concrete piece of evidence that my job is in jeopardy.  In fact, I am pretty confident that if my co-worker or I got laid off, and the other was left with the work load of two people, that remaining person would drop dead from sheer exhaustion.  And redoing my kitchen or not is not going to save my job.  Who says I should be worried?  Don’t I have an emergency fund too?  Mr. Juicefairy and I have fairly low expenses, due to our frugality so if I lost my job we could float us for a while.

I guess all this frenzy about the economy is finally getting to me.  The fear has rubbed off on me!  Damn, I need to calm down. To relax.  Continue life like usual.  Anyway, I really want my new kitchen!

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