Today was Santa day at work. I am so blessed to have a job I enjoy that is so generous with us. I received a $50 gift card- to a store that I chose that carries just about everything from groceries, to household, to clothes and toys. Then, I received $350 in a cash bonus. I wasnt sure if we would receive the bonus this year, so it was a very pleasant surprise.
In a few weeks I will also receive a 1% rebate on all interest earned or paid on my personal accounts, plus I have earned almost $200 in cash from the 1% visa rebate. THEN, we have achieved all of our goals this year, so I am eligible for a 5-6% bonus on my salary. 
With the exception of the gift card, I will put all of this into a savings account and let it ride.
If the weather and road conditions cooperate, DS and his family will be here tomorrow night. However, the passes have been hazardous most of the day today, and tonight promises freezing weather. I called DS today and made him promise that he would stay somewhere safe for the night if the conditions were bad. I would much rather have them safe than here if its a choice.
Been checking out sites and prices for the cruise next summer. With so many options, it will take some study to make sure I book this correctly. I do know that we want a balcony...beyond that, not so sure.
I am off tomorrow..need to grocery shop and pick up a birthday present for GS who turns 3 tomorrow and has a birthday party on Saturday...
Then, just putz around the house getting ready for family!!
Life is good!
End of year bonuses and rebates-
December 21st, 2012 at 03:16 am
December 21st, 2012 at 03:37 am 1356061054
I saw an article on CNN about 6 ways to save on a cruise. They suggested late March / April as the better time of year for good rates. The thing I can suggest is if you think you're going to drink a lot of soda - get a drink card. You pay up front for all the *soda* you want. Otherwise it is outrageous. If you don't want to pay for drinks ... *do NOT* touch the beverages they put in your room. If you drink/use just *one* they will charge you for ALL of them. Be prepared for the tipping requirements - it is an expected cost above the actual trip cost. There also are various forums with experienced cruisers who can offer you many money saving tips. (I don't know any off the top of my head, but I've seen them recommended before. I went on a 7-day Caribbean cruise in December, 2003 or 4 (whenever Saddam was captured) for a friends wedding. It was a blast, and I spent very little money above my fare and my brother's fare - he was just out of college at that point, so I helped him out.)
December 21st, 2012 at 02:45 pm 1356101131
December 21st, 2012 at 03:06 pm 1356102380
December 21st, 2012 at 08:58 pm 1356123481