Quite the Scare

Here's a little story for you... Monday evening after work, the gas needle was on empty. Like any other time I fill up for gas, I choose "pay outside with debit." It tells me to see cashier so I go inside and the lady says to go ahead and pump my gas then come in an pay with my card. That is precisly what I did but when I came back to pay she told me the register says "insuficient funds." I however knew that is quite impossible. I was wrong. After I called Mom and Dad to give her their card number so I didn't have to steal the gas, I called the my bank, "Your balance is $2.34," it says. "Oh my gosh, what is going on?" I thought through tears. After a sleepless night and a long discussion with the parental units about keeping my checkbook in order and where all my money could have gone, we realize something other than my bad balancing habits must have happened. A visit to the bank the next morning revealed that about 10 debits had been made in the LA area using my debit card number. Nearly $1800 were gone. I could not stop shaking as I went though the trasaction sheet, until I found out that I can infact get my money back by disputing the charges to the bank. I don't know how long this will take but it's the little adventure I'm on right now. My lesson, set up online banking and check it as much as I check my Facebook! Keep my checkbook balanced! Shop around for a credit card so if faced with a situation remotly close to this, I can pay for my own gas. This was by far one of the most sureal things that as happened to me but I believe I have learned a little more about handling adult situations. Please keep me and my money in your prayers. Thanks!

Things to fill my apartment!

As you have previously read, I have found, "my first place" and am now seaching for things to fill it! Couches, bed, desk, coffee table etc. are included but things like spatulas, mixing bowls, wisks, dishes and so on seem to be the things I take most for granted when cooking in Mom's kitchen. Everything is there.... and probably more. My kitchen though, well boxes at this point, are slowly being filled with my first kitchen tools! Who ever thought these kinds of things would excite me! I decided it would be more economical and fun to collect brightly colored plates, bowls, and mugs from thrift stores and yard sales than to buy a big boxed set. These places have also been great for the tools I mentioned earlier! There are a few things I decided to buy new, glasses, knives, we'll see about pots and pans! I want non-stick but have found that when people are getting rid of them it's because they are all scratched up. The pictures below are just a few things I've accumulated! Mom recycled her old towels to me and did a little revamp on them! She is so creative, they turned out so well! She has been amazingly helpful during this whole process of finding apartments, shopping for apartment stuff, and giving me ideas for making the place feel like home! Thanks Mom.