Nickel and dimed

Do you feel like you are being nipped at on all sides when it comes to money? If so, that's because you are.

According to my local Better Business Bureau, consumers nationwide are reporting mysterious charges on their credit card statements. These charges, generally not more than 25 cents, are coming from “Adele Services” in New York, a company that is not registered anywhere in Mississippi, where I hail from.

“Consumers can easily overlook charges of such an insignificant amount,” said Bill Moak, President/CEO of the Mississippi BBB. "Although they may be intended to rip off tiny amounts from tons of people, they could also lead to a larger problem if the charges are actually an attempt to validate the credit card account before making much larger charges. In other words, if a consumer easily overlooks these charges then it may be likely that they will overlook subsequent charges as well."

There is not an apparent way that the credit card account numbers are getting into the hands of the scammers. Consumer advocates say most likely it is by data theft or simply the use of a computer to generate account numbers.

“Take a look at your credit card statements and don’t let any such erroneous charges slide by," Moak said. "It’s what the thieves want you to do."

Fraudulent charges should be disputed with your credit card company and a complaint can be made to the Federal Trade Commission FTC) at www.ftc.gov.

Thinking about Sunday!

I just love the Super Bowl! It may be because it is just a few days or so older than I am, but it's most likely due to the fact that the Big Game is a great excuse for a party.

I will confess right here that I don't have a dog in this hunt. I am neither a Steelers or a Cardinals fan, plus I spent this football season following my favorite SEC and CUSA teams (Mississippi State and Southern Miss respectively). I was excited the last two years because the Manning brothers, Peyton and Eli, were involved, but this year, for me, it will be all about the party/food/socializing.

Super Bowl Sunday is a reason to show you aren't a fanatic and ditch that January diet, just for a day. A plus for me is that I love diet cola, and as we all know, diet cola takes all the calories out of whatever you're gobbling up (wink, wink).

I'll be getting together something yummy to take to the Super Bowl party at my friends Barin and Belinda's house. It may very well be this recipe, which was a huge hit at my house on New Year's Day:

Cheesy Ranch Chex Mix

9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex® or Wheat Chex® cereal (or combination)
2 cups bite-size pretzel twists
2 cups bite-size cheese crackers
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1 package (1 oz) ranch dressing and seasoning mix
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation Directions
1. In large microwavable bowl, mix cereal, pretzels and crackers. In small microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High about 30 seconds or until melted. Pour over cereal mixture; stir until evenly coated. Stir in dressing mix and cheese until evenly coated.
2. Microwave uncovered on High 3 minutes, stirring each minute. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Store in airtight container.

Variation: Throw some peanuts or pecans in there. It is a known fact that everything tastes better with pecans in it.

Making money

I started Sunday watching Meet the Press, and it was depressing. The message: "The worst is yet to come" when it comes to the economy. Then my dear boyfriend (DBF) told me about what he saw on 60 Minutes. I was at church and missed it, so I watched it online. More bad news but interesting reporting.

I count myself among the fortunate that I still have a job, but I am scared to death of losing it later this year, what with some kids in college and other kids who like eating three times a day and living indoors. I am working on supplementing my salary -- if I don't get laid off, then I will have extra cash, and if I do get laid off, then I will have a little extra cash for living on until I find another job.

First off, I am now a Mary Kay consultant. I am a newbie at this and I don't care to have a pink Caddy. Money for my sons' tuition is another story, though. Second, I called the census number posted earlier -- 1-866-861-2010 -- for jobs info. Maybe that will pan out for some extra moolah in March as I have to take a week's unpaid furlough that month.

Then there is just being frugal. When you find ways to save, it is still bringing money in as you are finding ways to stretch what you have. There was an old Depression-era saying: "Wear it out, use it up, make it do or do without." It applies today.

Anyone else got some ideas to share on ways to stretch dollars or bring more in? Post 'em here!

Time management

There's only 24 hours in the day. That's it. But these days, I am balancing work, graduate school, starting a small business on the side and raising a houseful of teenagers and elementary schoolers. Making the most of my time is a challenge. Realizing that, I participated in a Kaplan University Webinar on time management recently (while eating lunch — multitasking to make the most of my time!). Here are some of the tips I learned and some of the tips I shared to wring some extra time out of your day.

- Find the time wasters and cut them out(mostly — you don't have to be a fanatic). I cut back on my television watching because some of the network shows were just plain brainless (Momma's Boys? Need I say more?)and I started my graduate studies. It is amazing how much you can get done once you cut the TV off.

- Stop procrastinating about things you don't want to do. I was told once to pretend I had to eat a bug. Now who wants to eat a bug? But if you had to, it would be better to just do it and get it over with than to think all day about that bug. Yuck, I know. If there is something you just don't want to do but you have to, just get it over with and you don't have to think about it.

- Act now. Like Nike says, just do it. I try to do this at work. If there is a little task that needs to be done, if I do it right then, then I don't have to worry about remembering to do it because — ta-da! — it is already done!

- Block in the priorities first. Put the big things on the schedule first — family, work, exercise, studying — whatever your big things are. The other stuff will fit in. And if it doesn't fit? Then maybe you don't need it in your schedule. If it doesn't make your short list or won't fit on the page of your Daytimer, then maybe it is not important, or maybe it's something that would be great to do, just not right now. Figure it out.

— Use your Crock-Pot. The time you put into loading your Crock-Pot with veggies, meat and spices will pay off with a hot dinner when you are home from work, kids' sports, etc. Put baking potatoes in there on low, and when you come home, you will have wonderful baked potatoes, ready to go. Last Sunday afternoon, I had a paper due for grad school, so I loaded the Crock-Pot with chili ingredients at 1 p.m. and started on the paper. By 5:30, I was done with the paper and dinner was hot and ready. I promise I'll share some of my favorite Crock-Pot recipes soon!

- Technology. It can be a blessing or a curse. Some days I feel like I do nothing but respond to e-mails! If e-mails, IM's or the cell phone is eating up your time, just cut them off. Hard to do, I know, but you'll be glad you did.

- Use small blocks of time. This is key — if I waited until I had four uninterrupted hours to study, read, clean house, etc., well, I'd have a long wait ahead. I take along my textbooks and pdfs to my kids' sports practices and use that 30 minutes to an hour. Going to the doctor's office? Take whatever you need to read there. This morning, my living room was a wreck, but I took 20 minutes before I went to work and vacuumed, dusted and put away toys. It's not ready for the Better Homes and Gardens photographer, but I won't be cringing when friends stop by this evening.

- Schedule some time for YOU! We moms are the worst at this — we do for everyone else but ourselves. Well, no more. Make some time for yourself — get out and exercise, get a haircut, read a chapter of a book while drinking a latte at Mickey D's, and — how about this one — get a full night's sleep! You can't take care of everything and everyone unless you take care of yourself.

Got some more time management tips? Toss them my way!

Extra cash!

OK, who doesn't need some extra money? In this, my first-ever post on Annie O's Blog, I will share a tip for extra spring moolah. Call up the Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau will be hiring more than 75,000 temporary workers in Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas to help take the 2010 census. Here is their job line: 1-866-861-2010.

The phone number will tell you about jobs available and will send you to your local census office to make an appointment for a hiring test.