I've talked about the quilting project I'm a part of that provides a child sized quilt with a matching bag for foster children and other children in need.  (I've recently learned that the agency also servis children who's parent's are in prison and families who are in crisis for other reasons).  Sunday was the presentation day for our quilts at church and as soon as I can arrange it, we'll deliver another "shipment" to "our" kids. 

I thought you'd like to see some photos of the ones I completed this time. 

Our goal was to have 48 sets ready for delivery.  We have 64. 

It feels really good to be a part of something like this. 

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And speaking of being a part of something to help someone else.  I now have 81,000 credits.  I'm 4/5 of the way to free lifetime.   I am doing surveys as often as they will let me, but many thousands of those credits have been donated by you.  Thank you for helping. 

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I have a dilemma with my car.  It died yesterday.  Now, there's a chance that it's a dead battery problem.  Or maybe a dead alternator problem.  Or maybe a dead computer problem.  The car is a 2002 model and has almost 100,000 miles on it.  I paid cash for it ($4200) four years ago and haven't had to put in much beyond routine maintenance since.  It was a rebuilt wreck to start with, so it doesn't have any monetary value.  My resources are getting really thin with this business of spending 6 weeks without employment.  Should I put money into diagnosig and fixing this car?  Or use my money as a downpayment on a new (to me) car?

Upside of fixing it - it may last another four years without a major problem thus saving me the cost of monthly car payments.

Upside of buying a car - lower miles, more reliable, and having an installment loan will give me a mix of credit that will raise my credit score so I may be able to get better terms on a house loan in a year or two. 

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Started my new job today.  All I've done so far is orientation but it's made me even more enthusiastic about this company.  They have the best, most family friendly benefits I've ever seen.  AND they have the BEST checking account product in the entire country right now.  www.turbochecking.com  People from all 50 states have these accounts, they are administered online so they are easy, and they PAY you INTEREST.  6.01%.  That's not a typo.  On balances from $100 to $25,000 they pay 6.01%.  Of course there are rules, but they aren't the kind of rules that I can't live with. 

1. Have a direct deposit into the account OR one automatic debit per month.
2. Make at least 10 debit card transactions monthly (excluding ATM withdrawals)
3. Receive your monthly statement electronically.
4. Access online banking at least once a month.

In addition to the 6.01% interest, you get FREE ATM use nationwide (any fees deducted at the time of the transation are refunded at the end of the month.)  1.01% APY on any balance over $25,000.  Overdraft Privilege.  Free Online Bill Pay.

Wells Fargo, it's been nice knowin' ya ... but I've met somebody new.