Changes in the Two Grad Students Househol

Money:
So recently Dental Student and I reevaluated our budget (not just our Havi budget that we feature monthly) and decided that we needed to make some general cutbacks!  I was reading my favorite magazine, Real Simple, (which Dental Student's parents awesomely got me a subscription to through Cousin Danny's magazine fundraiser for his school band) and saw some fun ideas for cutting back.  


Here is how Dental Student and I are starting:
-Dunkin Donuts.  I live for iced coffee.  Specifically, Dunkin Donuts.  But my addiction is costing us $100 a month, and now that DD cancelled their rewards program, its time for Law Student to cancel her addiction.  Dental Students brother and sister-in-law gave us a Tassimo, so I'm going to suck it up and try for at-home coffee.
-Weight Watchers.  I am a Lifetime Member, but once in a while needs the push of eTools (a function you need to pay $39.95 for).  I decided this $40 a month is not worth it, when I could ask relevant questions and points values in meetings.  I also just learned eTools may now be free for Lifetime Members! Score!
-Eating Out.  I was having way too many meals out of the home.  Although I make breakfast and lunch for us everyday, and Dental Student cooks 4 times a week, we decided that we should only eat out once a week, and that includes nixing pizza night.  We also have a weekly Fresh Direct grocery budget of $60 we always stick to,so  that gives us more than enough food!
-Havi.  We are going to aim to only do three walks a week instead four a month for a little extra pocket change.


We need your help!  What are simple cutbacks you've made and can suggest to us?  We're thinking of doing a monthly budget feature of our own...


Also, we cannot afford to donate right now.  But some of our awesome friends are doing great fundraisers, so we wanted to help by promoting!


Our Waldo Bungie - Makes the most awesome pup sweaters ever!  She did a quick feature of them today! LOVE THEM, were saving up to get Havi one, they are only $30!  Sometimes the money goes to their foster pup, Ginger Rogers (we are not sure if they still are doing this fundraiser).
Sirius Republic - Havi pines to be a Sirius Republic girl, maybe for Hanukkah!  Sirius donates a portion of their funds to shelters.
SuperLevi - Havi loves to help her blog friends.  SuperLevi's awesome foster parents are being amazing as per usual!  There is an awesome raffle going on where the money goes to SuperLevi's eye care fund.  You can participate in a fundraising walk, and receive a bandana or shirt.  


Blog:
-Frequency.  I used to blog every weekday!  What happened to that?!  It made me so happy to update you on my life, get your comments, and learn from you.  I need to bring this back.
-Facebook.  I'm uploading everyday from now on...look out!


I turned 25 yesterday, and its never too late to turn it all around.  These are the Blog and Monetary changes were making.  Have you made any changes recently?!

Monthly Feature: Big Dog, Small Budget

**Thank you, K-Koira, from Life With Flyball Dogs for pointing out some inconsistencies!


We started this Monthly Feature to explain how we live with a big dog on a small budget.  Many people wrote they don't or can't even imagine how much they spend per month.  The simple fact is that we live loan to loan so we have to really contemplate the value of each $ spent.  Additionally, we thought that by sharing the various sites and coupons we use, we may give others good ideas.  Alternatively, if we're spending too much money - we were hoping you would share some good ideas!

So here is our October round-up!  

4 Dog Walking Sessions with RuffCity DogWalkers - $100

Evo Red Meat Formula from ProperPet - $59.99

Missing Link ProBiotic from PetsTruly.com - $22.64

10 Bully Sticks from DoggyLoot.com - $16.00

October Total: $198.63

June: $149.31

July: $111.99

August: $193.22

September: $182.83

October: 198.63

YTD: $835.98

P.S. Fun photos from Law Student's trip to Chicago will be up soon!  I am so sad I didn't get to visit with some of my favorite blogs at the Sociabulls walk, due to some MAJOR sightseeing.   PLEASE check out Two Pitties in the City site for an awesome fundraiser and cool raffle to benefit SuperLevi, one of our favorite fosters!

Weekly Feature: Tuesday Review

I have finished my 25th book out of the 36 I intend to read this year for my GoodReads challenge!
Plan B by Jonathan Tropper (4 out of 5 stars)
I love how Jonathan Tropper writes! Another great easy read on the complexities of life.  Five friends get together to intervene on another's drug problem.  It's a coming-of-age tale for people in their 20s and 30s.

Benjamin Retaurant via Groupon
This neighborhood restaurant is righ tby our apartment, and we went once for DS's birthday.  When we bought this deal, we hoped to have a great experience and find "our place."  We failed.  We ordered friend calamari that came with an interesting BBQ and pesto sauce and a caesar salad.  Then I ordered a fresh tuna wrap with french fries, except the tuna was not fresh.  DS ordered a yummy pasta dish.  For dessert we had a brownie sundae, my favorite!  Although it was a great deal $29 for all that food, plus tax and tip - it was not spectacular, and we will not go back after trying twice.

Ides of March
I saw this movie with Best Friend for our monthly movie.  I totally expected a fast-paced political drama.  It was a slow movie about greed and politics, but I really enjoyed.  In fact I enjoyed it more the next day as I really thought about it.  And there was definite eye candy!




Don't forget to Friend me on GoodReads or Like us on Facebook!

National Pitbull Awareness Day

We were advocates for many other things before we were pit bull owners.  Funny thing is, when we adopted Havi, she never told us she was a pit bull.  She thought she was a dog.  We don't advocate for pit bulls, we advocate for all the Havis of the world.  Havis are the people and animals who insist they are like everyone else, despite what society tells 'em.  

Havi's Feelings on Rainy Days...

She stayed like this until 11:00am...

When I finally took her outside she ran straight under the jungle gym until I coaxed her out of there!

Yea, I don't like rainy days either Havi, unless I get to cuddle with you!

Caption Time!

What is Havi thinking?

Weekly Feature: Love Letters From A Dogwalker

Well, to be honest, we omitted a love letter.  Last week, we got a pretty disturbing letter when Havi got sick and the dogwalker came to visit her.  Apparently Havi pooped four different times, four different places, including throwing up on the couch.  Eek.  Luckily, our dogwalker was honest about the situation, gave Havi some love, and we came home.  Here is today's letter!

You're so right, she was totally playing me about not being able to sit in the elevator. She did it perfectly today, sans treat! Little booger...

We made a date with Jax, Sophie and Kellie for the park and the temperature was perfect for them. Hav mussed up Jax's new hairdo but he didn't mind one bit. A schnauzer named Archie came to play and all was good for awhile, until the ball became a possession to Archie and he snapped at Hav.

It's frustrating because I've never seen her start anything, but she will not back down. She will play and play and play until another dog starts a conflict and then she's reactive and unaware of her strength. This incident was not a bad one and she never made contact with him (I think a choice of her own honestly as it took a few seconds for me to grab her). The owner even admitted most fault of Archie and after that we omitted the ball and they ran around just fine and played. Overall everyone had a great time!!

Like I've always said I'm completely comfortable with her at the park and will immediately let you know if that changes. And I'll always let you know of any altercations.

She pooped on the way there, it was very solid for her, and peed twice :)

We walked home with Jax and Sophie and it totally did the trick- no stalling and no slowness! We all said goodbye in the elevator and Hav and I went on to the apartment for some fresh spring water and a milkbone :)

P.S. Ive been a little behind on my comments on your blogs, sorry!

P.P.S.  Go to our Facebook for more Havi love!

Wordless Wednesday

Someone's got a case of the Monday's...

Feature: Book Review 24, 25

I have finished two more books toward my goal of 36 books in the year 2011.  Check out my GoodReads Widget on the right to become my friend on GoodReads and see other books I have read this year!


Everyman by Philip Roth (2 out of 5 stars)
I read this book with my amazing work book club. I enjoy Philip Roth, and I learned this book is similar to his life. It was the story of one man and how he lived. It was an ultra quick read (1 week, but I didn't even read some days). I like quick reads, but hated the one character that is developed so much that this book left almost no impression on me. The club realized that we did not know the name of the main character, when we researched, we learned that was on purpose. The point of the book was the character is the "Everyman.


Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult (3 out of 5 stars)
Not Jodi's best or worst. This is the story of a woman whose son is abused. I am not sure if any parents can read it. As always, Jodi does her homework. In his case, its a courtroom drama and a sexual harassment survey. I love her invariable twist at the end. Not sure I really understand the title.


What have you read lately?  I am reading Devil in the White City and cannot seem to get into it...

Havi's Best Friend!

After chatting about Jax, Havi's best friend, all the time, we thought we'd introduce you!

Jax is a Miniature Goldendoodle from the midwest.  He is two years old, and named after Jax from the Sons of Anarchy TV show.  He also lives 15 floors above us, so is great to play with and always up for a good walk.

Here is a typical Jax-Havi play session!