Free movie rental from redbox
I always thought it was weird when I’d see people at those redbox movie rental kiosks in front of Walgreens or McDonalds. For whatever reason, picking a movie from a vending machine-like contraption seemed odd. Maybe I’d just been conditioned by Blockbuster to think renting a movie had to involve walking down endless aisles and ogling check-out displays filled with candy and popcorn.
But after my first redbox rental experience, I can honestly say I won’t ever miss the brick-and-mortar rental store again (okay, maybe I’ll miss the candy and popcorn).
I decided to try out redbox when I found a free rental coupon code on Monday via another blog I read. The entire experience was super-easy and although I ended up hating the movie and feeling like I’d wasted two hours of my life, that didn’t dampen my newfound affection for redbox.
[For the curious, the movie was Rachel Getting Married, starring Anne Hathaway. I should have known when it was nominated for an Oscar that it would be one of those artsy movies not typically enjoyed by the general public.]
Anyway, here are a few of my favorite things about redbox:
1) It’s convenient – there are more than 12,000 redbox locations, including one literally right down the street at my local Walgreens.
2) It’s easy – I was able to search online for available inventory at my selected redbox location so the rental process literally took less than 2 minutes. You can even reserve titles online.
3) It’s current – Most of the movies have just been released so unlike some discount movie rental companies, you’re not limited to the “unwanted” movies that have been out for weeks.
4) It’s cheap – as mentioned above, my rental was free thanks to a coupon code, but even if you don’t have one of these the total cost is $1 per night – with generous terms that allow you to return the DVD by 9pm the next night. That said, there seem to be an inordinate amount of free coupon code days (for example, today’s is MMM325) so do a search online and you might get lucky.
5) They have a blog – gotta love a company that embraces social media. Also, this is where they’re rumored to post a free coupon code every Wednesday.
6) It makes random acts of kindness easy to do – After renting my free movie on Monday, I turned around and a woman was just walking up to rent her own movie. Don’t hate me redbox, but I handed her my Post-it note with the coupon code and made her day.
So why not try it out tonight for free? I promise you’ll never think those people are weird again…at least not related to their movie rental preferences.
Filed under Deals, Saving Ideas | Comment (0)Too good to be true usually is
Last week was pretty exhausting with work starting at 5 or 5:30am every single day thanks to a big event I oversee each year. But somehow in the midst of the craziness, I managed to look into the drop in mortgage rates.
To give a little background, when I bought my house in 2006 I chose a 5-year ARM at 6.25%, a rate that at the time was considered pretty good. Last September, though, there was drop in rates and I was able to refinance to a 30-year fixed at 5.625%. I signed the papers on my birthday and I considered the savings of $80 a month a nice birthday present to myself.
Fast forward to this week, though, and my birthday present is not seeming so special anymore. The reason? Well, if you’ve been within spitting distance of a newspaper this week, you’ve probably read that rates are dropping and some borrowers have been able to secure a 4.5% rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage.
This is why I don’t gamble or play the stock market. The inner voice that nags and says, “if only you’d waited to double down or to sell that stock…” would drive me crazy. And right now, the voice is saying “if you’d just waited to refinance until now…” Hindsight is 20/20 though, and who knows, even if jumped into the fray and refinanced this week, a month from now the rate could be that much lower.
So instead of playing the “if only” game, I decided this week to squelch that voice and to make the most of my situation. As attractive as the low rates are, I have no desire to pay thousands of dollars of closing costs again since I have no idea how long I’ll own this house, which makes it hard to estimate the time it would take to make the new lower rate worthwhile.
While looking around on my current lender’s (Wells Fargo) website, I came across a program that lets current borrowers in good standing apply for a free (no closing costs, application or appraisal fees) refinance. While the rates are not as attractive as the full refinance option, they are still lower than what I pay now.
I actually looked into this option over three months ago, but getting a real-live person on the phone was almost impossible. By the time I did, the rates had risen again so it wasn’t worth the effort.
Somehow this week I mustered up the energy to try again. I called the customer service line and Chad answered the phone. He took me through all the questions only to find out the free refinance rate he could offer was 5.625%. He offered to take my number and call me if that rate went down and although I happily gave him my number, I never expected to hear from Chad again.
The next evening around 5:45pm, the rates dropped to new lows and to my surprise, Chad gave me a call. He could now offer me a 5.375% rate with no closing costs or fees. I asked a ton of questions because it seemed like one of those too-good-to-be-true offers. After all, mortgage brokers don’t exactly rank with nuns and teachers on the selfless list.
So after going through all the practical questions (There’s really no costs? I can apply for this again if the rate drops even further in the future? The loan terms all stay exactly the same? etc.), I point blank addressed the pink elephant in the room…er, on the phone. I asked Chad, “So, what exactly is in it for Wells Fargo?” According to him, the reason they offer such a program was because they wanted to retain good customers – i.e. those who paid their mortgage each month on time and were in no danger or foreclosing – to offset the “bad” customers and restore confidence to their financial position as a company.
On the surface, that made some sense to me, and even though I was still skeptical I decided there was no reason I shouldn’t at least look into it so I started the application process.
Yesterday in the mail I received my loan packet with a Good Faith Estimate and Truth in Lending Statement (sounds suspiciously like an oxymoron…). The Good Faith Estimate checked out and according to the document the only up front fee I was responsible for was a notary fee for the final closing documents.
The Truth in Lending Disclosure Statement was a bit more cryptic and for the first time I felt a little empathy for the people who signed up for loans they didn’t understand and now find themselves in a difficult situation. The difference is, I have absolutely no intention of signing anything until I understand exactly what it means.
My confusion is a result of two boxes right next to eachother with very different figures:
Box 1
Finance Charge – the dollar amount the credit will cost you: $172,628
Box 2
Amount Financed – the amount of credit provided to you or on your behalf: $169,928
The Box 2 total is the outstanding balance on my current loan, and to me a no fee, no closing cost, no BS loan would mean that this amount stays the same while my interest rate adjusts to 5.375%. No?
I’m the first to admit I’m not a genius when it comes to mortgage terms and fees, but I can’t for the life of me figure out where the phantom $2,700 figures in. My mom is a realtor and my dad has his broker’s license so I know exactly where to go for (hopefully) some answers, but if any of you have an idea I’d love to hear your theory!
Filed under Finances | Comment (0)Can you say Spaaah? Book now for Spa Week
Stressed out about the economy? Pamper yourself on the cheap during the bi-annual Spa Week sponsored by Allure magazine. Here’s the deal:
Between April 13 and 19, 2009, approximately 700 day spas around the country will offer two to three different treatments – usually $100 to $200 – for just $50 each.
Confession: I’ve scheduled both a 50-minute facial and a 50-minute massage, but the bonus is the place I selected is also a wellness center so included in those prices is access to a variety of yoga classes, life enhancement lectures, all the spa facilities, hiking trails, etc.
While it’s cheaper than usual, it’s still a bit of a splurge but I refuse to feel guilty because:
a) Lent will be over by then so I’ll have reached my guilt quota for the year,
b) I plan to cut back on other expenses throughout the month so that I still fall within my budget, and
c) after the March I’ve had, $135 (which includes a 15% tip on the regular price of the services) is well worth the body, health and mind benefits.
Anyway, Spa Week started in New York in 2004 and is the brainchild of Cheryl Reid, owner of Spa Week Media Group Ltd. The goal was to introduce a new generation of consumers to the many benefits of a healthy spa lifestyle. And new in 2009, many spas are following the “green” trend by offering organic, detoxifying and vitamin-enriched treatments.
Spaces book up quickly, so make an appointment soon if you’re interested in taking advantage of this offer. For more information and to search for participating spas, visit www.spaweek.com.
Filed under Deals, Finances | Comment (0)Grateful for unanswered prayers
There have been many times in my life where I kicked and screamed and tore my hair out (figuratively, not literally) when things didn’t go my way. I’d mope about it and wonder what bad karma or horrible deed had finally caught up to me. It’s not my best quality, but it is what it is.
Something along those lines happened about a year ago when I learned my company had just hired a new PR director for a position based in southern California. Usually they were pretty good about spreading the word about open PR positions, but this one was not mentioned until it was already filled.
I was especially upset because I’d told my boss in my last review that I was interested in moving back to California and that ideally the move would be with the company. Obviously the word hadn’t worked its way up the corporate ladder…or maybe it had and they just weren’t interested.
Either way, I find myself today thanking my lucky stars that I was never offered that position since my company’s corporate PR office just announced that the position had been eliminated. It’s the first – and to my knowledge, only – PR position to be eliminated in my company and its based on some pretty extraordinary circumstances. But still, it doesn’t change the fact that it could have been me who was laid off if fate had only taken a slightly different turn.
What’s more, the main reason I was so desperate to move to California in the first place was to be close to a boyfriend I was dating long distance. I know I’ve mentioned him before and one day I promise I will tell you the unbelievable story – literally, my friends were shocked and it’s more suited to a soap opera or similarly surreal TV show than real life – of our breakup, but for now suffice it to say that things didn’t work out.
How different would my life be now if I’d moved to California for that job? Besides being estranged from my ex, I would be without a job and living in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S., a city that also has one of the counry’s highest unemployment rates (and therefore, a glut of job applicants).
If I really was in that situation, I’m sure I could find some positives and a way to make it work. For example, I would be closer to family and I know they would never let me get to the point of starving or being homeless. And some people find the greatest rewards when they’re faced with extreme adversity.
But I’m really grateful I don’t have to deal with the what ifs and their consequences. I’ve always liked the song, but country singer Garth Brooks’ lyrics sum up my feelings in this situation perfectly - some of God’s greatest gifts really are unanswered prayers.
Filed under Career, Economy | Comment (0)Saver in the City’s five for Friday
No means no…except when it doesn’t. Learn how to increase your chances of turning a no into a yes in this post by I’ve Paid for This Twice Already.
A lot has been written in the media about the government’s stimulus plan, but what does it really mean to you, me and Jane public? The Dough Roller breaks it down in a very handy Economic Stimulus Package FAQ.
If you’re carrying a balance on a credit card and paying high interest rates, you simply can’t afford not to read The Simple Dollar’s tips for getting your credit card interest rates reduced.
Think you’re on track for retirement? Use Fabulously Broke in the City’s informative post to do a little check-up on your nest egg.
Confession: I hate flying. And since I’m taking one of those dinky little planes to Phoenix today it’s not surprising Master Your Card’s post about what to do before you die caught my eye. I haven’t done some of these things yet, so keep your fingers crossed for my safe travels!
And with that, I’ll leave you to a wonderful weekend! I won’t be posting again until early next week because I’m in Phoenix attending Angels’ spring training, but I’ll be sure to have a beer (or snowcone for PG-13 readers) for you to make up for it :-)
Filed under Economy, Finances, Investing | Comment (0)