2% Executive Membership Rebate Check

I received a 2% executive membership rebate check.

Then American Express will send out their rebate check in February.

This check is redeemable only at Costco.

But, this year, I promised myself that I will put all my rebate checks into a savings account. So, I transferred $40.32 from checking to savings.

*This month, I put $330.00 into a savings account.

Christmas Hangover

Today is January 13th, but I still cannot let go of Christmas.

I had such a good time during the season. 

Last weekend, I bought some last chance Christmas stuff at a local store.

Everything had to go, they said.

At work, I still turn on my Christmas lights. I still listen to Christmas music.

It’s so sad that the season went by so fast.

I put on my Santa Hat on Thanksgiving Day. Some folks greeted me with “Merry Christmas” – On Thanksgiving Day.

My 10-day vacation was magic. I really enjoyed my vacation. I spent 6 days all alone, including Christmas day. And I loved it.

I bought myself a nice Christmas gift (below)

I love this 13″ notebook computer. Of course, I bought a factory re-certified unit for a deep discount. The battery lasts 7-9 hours. I plan to get out of the town and take care of my business with my computer once in a while.

I still turn on Christmas lights at my work. I listen to Christmas music. My apartment smells like cinnamon sticks.

I have gained 4 solid pounds during the season.

I ate a lot. Look at my snack shack (photographed December 2010).
This is why some people hate Americans.
Don’t try this at home, unless you have super strong willpower.
I have a friend with almost no self-control. She goes crazy whenever she visits me.

I should snap out from the Christmas hangover and start enjoying 2011.

I can’t wait for Christmas 2011. But that would wish away 1 year of my life. I shall re-focus and enjoy 2011. I would like to be productive this year.

The Christmas season is only 10 months away.

 

Costco Shopping – January 6, 2010

First Costco shopping of the year.

I didn’t buy anything special. They were all stable items.

I bought 2 cases of V8 with a coupon. I put them upside down in the cart, so the checkout clerk will scan the UPC codes on the bottoms faster. V8 came out to be about $0.33 for each can*. (FYI: 99 Cents the only store sells V8 for $0.57 a can*)

*Plus CA redemption value

Coupon saved $13.00

Bed Bath and Beyond – Cinnamon Stick Yankee Candle

These are stuff I bought from Bed Bath and Beyond during this Christmas season.

I love Cinnamon Stick scented Yankee Candle. To me, Cinnamon Stick is the best holiday smell. You light this up… and it’s Christmas.

The big jar was about $15 with the sale & coupon.

Remember, Bed Bath and Beyond takes expired coupons. So, I clip and hold on to all coupons from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Coupons are nothing to laugh at. I saved $5 on a large jar of Yankee Candle. I have great respect for coupons.

I would never buy Yankee Candle at full price. Because I cannot afford it. Coupons make it possible for me.

Yankee Candle, olive oil dispenser, olive oil sprayer, straws… from Bed Bath and Beyond.

Vacation Update – December 2010

I am on my 10-day vacation (4 days off, 2 days holidays, 4 days weekend).

8 days flew by like a rocket ship. I still have 2 days to enjoy. I shall make the most out of it.

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When I was a boy, I used to love scale modeling. I spent many days making tanks, sports cars, and fighter planes. Back then, I had to save money for months to buy a cheap box of a tank. Kit models were such a treat back then, that’s why I relate kit models with Christmas.

I wanted to re-live that olden day. So, I bought 2 boxes of kit models. I was very happy to find this truck. I remember when I was a young boy. I used to look at this truck in the store window for hours and daydreamed.

On the night before Christmas, I put the truck together as I watched Polar Express. I had a good sentimental moment alone. The entire apartment was quiet. I couldn’t hear any of my neighbors.

It took several hours (a few days) to put this together. 

After this truck, I got fed up with scale modeling. That was enough. Maybe I will get to the tank next year (?). We’ll see.

Update 2021 – 11 years later, I still haven’t finished that tank. It’s about 1/4 finished.

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My neighbor “S” paid a visit on Christmas day. She said she found the coins in the laundry room. “I thought it had to be you,” she said.

She said, after using washers and dryers, she put the coins and Christmas card back up there. She wanted somebody else to have that good feeling.

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I did a lot of shopping.
I ate a lot of treats.
I met my parents twice.

This vacation was so very sweet.