Shopping Auto Insurance - Frustrating or Fabulous?

For those of you who may not know, I'm an accountant. Not only that, I'm an accountant who *loves* to save money.

I have read multiple books by Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey regarding managing your finances, and I have learned quite a few helpful tools over the years.

I figure it's time to share the wealth. So from time to time you may see a budget-friendly PSA on the blog. I mean, who couldn't use more money in their wallets and a little financial freedom?

About six months ago I took a hard look at our finances and monthly budget. I felt like Steven and I brought home decent salaries - but couldn't understand why we didn't have more left over each month.

I decided it was time to trim the financial fat. But I wasn't sure where to start. So many of our bills were set in stone: mortgage payment, car payments, student loans. Not much "wiggle room" there.

So I started with our auto insurance policy.

I think there is a stigma associated with shopping your insurance policy: time consuming, frustrating, pointless. To say I was hesitant to start the task would be an understatement.

But I did - and I was shocked to learn that we could keep our exact same coverages and pay $45 less a month. That's a savings of $540 a year! I'd say that's time well spent. Fabulous even!

If you haven't shopped your insurance policies in a while - I suggest you give it a try. You might be shocked to see how much you have been overpaying.

A few helpful pointers:
- Get a copy of your current policy with deductibles & coverages. Be sure to request the exact same deductible & coverage to be sure that you are saving money by switching to a new carrier.
- Bundle all insurances policies with the same carrier. Most insurance companies offer you discounts for having multiple policies - so if you are a home owner or have a boat, be sure to bundle those policies with your auto insurance.
- Review your coverages with an agent. There is a chance that you may have more coverage than you need (this is common with home owner's policies). If so, you may be paying more than necessary.

Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email if you have any questions!

Happy Savings Blogger Friends! :)

ROLL TIDE ROLL

I fully acknowledge that this post is a day late. But little 'ole me is still in full blown year-end close at the office - just indulge me and pretend like this is new news....

THE CRIMSON TIDE IS THE 2012 BCS NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!

To all those haters who said we didn't deserve to play in the championship game, I say, GOOD DAY!

I think the utter mauling, as Brent Musburger put it, more than proves that Alabama deserved a shot at the title. And they took it: 21-0!

So the fans around my house are pretty pleased. :)

I apologize to any of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook. I realize that my tweets and status updates were *beyond* obnoxious. But I just couldn't help myself.

Can't wait till next season to see what Saban & The Tide have up their sleeves!

And for those of you who have requested a picture of my new hair do - here you go.  Not the best picture - but you get the point.  ROLL TIDE!

Thank God It's Friday

Thank God It's Friday because I need a break from work like whoa. And I mean like whoa. When I left the office at 6pm yesterday, I had already put in over 50 hours. That's right - 50 hours in 4 days. I still have a full 9-10 hours of work on the agenda today as well - but at least I get a break this weekend. Gotta love the life an accountant at year-end.


Thank God It's Friday because my house is a hot mess and needs a thorough cleaning. This 60+ hour work week has left little room for clearning/cooking. Not to mention, all my Christmas décor is still up. Not off to the best start on the domestic front for 2012, am I? Like I said...Year of Amber means it's ok if my house is a disaster during close at the office. But I'm looking forward to getting this mess cleaned up! Anyone want to volunteer their domestic services at my place this weekend? I've got a good bottle of wine I'm willing to share!

Thank God It's Friday because my in-laws are coming for a visit Friday. That's right - I'm actually excited about a visit from the in-laws. I puffy heart super adore my MIL. We weren't able to see them at Christmas because we traveled to MS to be with the hub's extended family - so this weekend will serve as our post holiday get together. *I'm pumped*

Thank God It's Friday because I will actually get to get a few workouts in this weekend. Umm...it's been a full 6 days since I've even thought about the gym. Again with The Year of Amber and grace during difficult times - but honestly, this booty needs to do a little sweating. If only I could get my knee to stop hurting I might actually get back into Crossfit full force. But at this point I will take what I can get.

Thank God It's Friday because Steven and I will finally be at church on Sunday! Holiday travels have kept us from FiveStones the past three Sundays. I'm deeply missing the time of worship and challenging messages from our pastor. Looking forward to some Jesus this weekend! And for my more conservative readers, I am not being sacrilegious. Jesus is my friend - I need some time with him just like I do my husband or one of my girlfriends. He really is my homeboy.

So happy Friday ya'll! Is anyone else as happy as I am that it's almost the weekend!?!

Here's To The Year Of Amber

Happy New Year! Only 5 days late right? Oh and since I completely missed the holidays around the Blog World - Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah & Merry Christmas ya'll!

I'm not doing New Year's Resolutions this year. Too much pressure. After looking back on 2011, I see a recurring theme. Stress. Stress. Stress. And you know what's the cause of that stress?

ME!

I put too much pressure on myself to be the perfect wife, perfect accountant, perfect Christian, perfect person.

I set WAY too many goals and I am super upset when I don't accomplish them.

Don't get me wrong. I think it is admirable to strive for self improvement. It is honorable to want to be a loving spouse, valuable employee & quality world citizen. However, I tend to set significantly higher expectations for myself than I ever do for anyone else.

So this year is The Year Of Amber. (Yes, I'm stealing this from Happy Endings - but it seemed appropriate.)

The year of giving myself a little grace. The year of developing hobbies that I enjoy. The year of traveling to visit friends. The year of being grateful in all things and trusting the Lord to handle those circumstances that are out of my control.

I did something kind of drastic in honor of The Year of Amber. I chopped 6 inches off my hair. I think my hair is becoming an expression of what I feel emotionally. Last winter I died it dark brown. This year I chopped 6 inches off. My hair dresser asked if I was sure I wanted to cut that much off. I responded, "Umm....2011 has pretty much been a horrible year for me. I'm convinced the bad mojo is stuck in my hair. So get rid of that crap please!" :)

With that being said, I plan to come back to blogging again. She's my long lost friend. My escape. My happy place. We've had an on again, off again relationship for quite some time now. And I'm actually committed to making this thing last.

Hope your 2012 is off to a fabulous start!