DAY 40 + 41

Lizzy- Yesterday was a busy day. I woke up early to go to my spin class which I missed on Monday. Its very hard getting up at 5:45 to workout when your up twice a night with a baby. But each time I am in the class I feel good about myself and about the day ahead of me and think "why do I struggle to get here....when I am here  I love it" So that will be my mental challenge in the mornings. Then it was off to work and spent the rest of the day with the family watching movies playing games and relaxing. Today I sent Gracie off to school and then she went to a friends house. Its given me much needed time to catch up on the cleaning and spend time with Jack. I also got a call this morning from a hotel that wanted to hire me for weekends as an attendant. I have been looking for part time work but it seems that nothing is matching up to my schedule. This one was perfect in that it started from 5am and went till 12 or 1. It was only Sat and Sun which at first seems IDEAL so that it wouldn't interfere with my family's schedule and it would bring in and extra $650 a month. Which is great now that winter is coming and Ryans side work will slow down. The struggle was Sundays. How can I miss every Sunday morning and church service with my family and what does that teach Gracie? She struggles herself right now wanting to go but I think this would be a terrible message to her as well as to myself. I feel blessed I was offered the job when I wanted it but don't feel right compromising the seriousness of the issue. We are told only to work Sundays if we have to. And for many there is a half to which is unfortunate. But for me its not and I have to be honest with that. So I called and offered any other day but I am not sure they will accept that. I am hoping better things come of this decision.

As for money I am going to do the big update with the phones. So here we go. We have decided to cancel our cell phone service with Verizon.

Two main reason are 1. Ryan has had another cell phone and free service since he started his new job. They provide him with this at no cost to us so for him. He carries around 2 phones all day so why not just use 1 and not have to pay for it. 2. Of course it would save money this year for our challenge. Now here are the concerns we had as we were making this decision. Ryan does lots of side work so for him to lose his number would be a great loss to us because of contact that have his number from YEARS ago that still get in touch .It would not be an easy task to reach everyone nor would we be able to. So it was vital that he was able to keep his number. But then by switching his number to his work phone how would that go over with his company? Well...it worked out perfect. His boss is an amazing guy who is very open and supportive of this and said it would be no problem to have Ryan use his work for personal and to switch the number. So we called cricket (who they go through) and had it done a couple days ago! So he still has the same number...no loss contacts...no extra money spent...easy. Now the next concern was my phone.

Since we are getting a land line (ever heard of these?) I wont be able to have the same number. But really...my contacts can easily be notified and when we look back how often did I ever answer my cell phone? maybe 20% of the time. I can't hear the ringer...I can't hear my text messages...I often am busy with the kids and don't want to answer the phone in which case I call back....and lets face it...how many times have I lost my phone??? A LOT!!!! I don't do well with cell phones. I leave them in the car...let the battery run out and just plain don't want to be glued to it. So my change is going to be an advantage for everyone. My home phone will be a lot easier to locate and use. The next concern was for myself again not having one for emergencies. Another reality check here. How often am I in an emergency? Almost never. Have I classified things as urgent? Sure but never EMERGENCY. I do remember having to pull into a gas station and call Ryan to come put oil in the car because it kept beeping at me. So it was handy however I am sure that wherever I am going I could EASILY find someone with a cell or even "heaven forbid" use a payphone or store phone. I don't think communication is hard to find nowadays. So I think I am good on this one. I also find this not only money saving but important for my kids safety while I am driving. Law or not I have been more than guilty of answering the phone or making a quick call while on the road. I don't think its right, I dont think its safe and I dont think its worth it for such a short time to use the phone and put anyone at risk. So I feel good about not having that temptation in front of me anymore. Another and last concern was that Ryans dad is on our plan. He had already paid in advance for the service so we felt bad that he would no longer be able to use his phone. But just as we hoped he was more than ok with it saying he never really used it anyway and told us not to worry about the difference in $. So that all fell into place. Now comes down to the pros and the big money saver. I called around to different services asking what the package deals were for the internet and land line.

After talking with a few places I called comcast one evening and the guy over the phone quoted me a plan for 1 year of $35 a month. Now, when I called back to start that service they told me that was a mistake in pricing and was only if you had cable that we would get that price. Well if you know me you know how much I love working with call centers (sarcastic smile)

I was ready for the fight. Whether or not he told me the wrong price he knew I didn't have cable and still offered that price to me. The best offer they could now give me was $40 a month for only 6 months then it would go up to $60. Ooohhhhh NOOOOo my friends...that was NOT acceptable to me. Just because he did something wrong didnt mean  I was going to be punished. I told them I wont accept anything but the $35 for 12 month as quoted...they said "only a supervisor can arrange that" Ok well...get him on the PHONE. Then the supervisor said "I would have to listen to your phone call and see how everything was said" OK well....LISTEN to the call. Dont tell me you can't do something. I have worked in call centers long enough to know you CAN do it. So it took 3 days....6 phone calls and me not giving in to their "games" and what happened? I GOT THE DEAL! Dont like how I had to get it but if your going to train these employees and offer great customer service then I expect it. And had he told me the $40 at 6 months first I would have taken it. But that was not my doing. So let me break down what we are spending now;what we would have spent had I given in to their chastisement and taken the 2nd offer and what we will be paying now that we fought for what we were offered in the first place.
Right Now : Verizon $110/month  and Comcast internet $45/month
Total : $155 month / $1860 for the year
Canceling cells and what they were trying to get us to take : Verizon $0/month Comcast $40*6month/$60*6months
Total : $600.00 for the year
What we will be paying : Comcast $35/month for 12 months
Total: $420.00
WWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWW
We just went from paying $1860 for phone and internet down to $420. Thats $1440 we just saved this year WAY COOL!!
Ok that was a very long entry and explanation but really I had to share. Its a huge deal. I will be updating on how things go with just a land line. Im sure the challenge will be harder some days than others but overall I feel really good about it.

Ryan - I love Lizzy's determination, it definitely helps in cases like these, but when it turns on me that's a completely different story, but I'll leave that for my personal journal :).

This is also a tip, but my boss told me that when we disconnect our cells phones, we shouldn't just throw them a way, but we can still use them for emergencies. All cell phones have the 911 feature available whether you have a service or not. This is a requirement by the government or FCC or somebody like that. So Lizzy keep your cell phone in the car and keep your  charger too. If you're ever  in an accident or any type of emergency, you can use your cell phone to call 911.

TODAY'S WANTED ITEM: phone and internet service (no change in what we have now)

COST: $1860

TOTAL $ SAVED YTD: $2957.56