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Luv Saving Money – Life on a Budget

September 17 is National Voter Registration Day

On November 5th 2024, the American people will vote for their next president among other political positions. But in order to vote you need to be registered before the election. Each state has their own voter registration deadline.

According to NPR voter registration deadline in Pennsylvania is Monday October 21. That’s for all ways to register: online, by mail, or in person. NPR has a helpful list of deadlines for voter registration in each state and territory. Several are coming up soon . If you’re not sure if you’re registered they also have links to check your voter registration status for each state.

I’m here to call all Pennsylvanians to consider registering to vote. You can do it online, it takes less than 10 minutes, and you’ll get in before the October 21, 2024 deadline to register. And, of course, it’s free.

Pennsylvania online voter registration link

Pennsylvania is always a major factor in the presidential races. A swing state that has a whopping 20 electoral college votes. So if you think your vote doesn’t make a difference, think again.

If you’ve never voted before, the process is pretty simple. You can vote by mail or in person (but never both). I prefer to go in person. I’m in a small town so it usually only takes me a few minutes to get a ballot, fill it out and submit it. The poll workers are helpful in getting you your ballot, where to submit it, etc. Pay attention to the hours of your local polling places. In my experience, going earlier in the day, if possible, is better than waiting until the last two hours that your polling place is open.

If you’re curious about how many electoral votes your states has, you can checkout this helpful list from the National Archive.

Just FYI Puerto Rico, your voter registration deadline is September 21, 2024 so don’t delay in registering. The next one coming up will be South Carolina. South Carolina your in-person voter registration deadline will be October 4, 2024 followed by online voter registration deadline of Oct 6.

If you do not register by the deadline for your state you will not be able to vote in this year’s presidential election. So take the time to get registered or check your registration now!

Hot Sam’s Club Deal! $15 Membership!

If you’re been thinking about getting a Sam’s Club membership, this is a great time to do it.

Honestly, my closest Sam’s Club is a 45 minute drive away but I still have a membership. Why? We make 2, in person trips a year and really load up. We stock up on things like toilet paper, paper towels, baking supplies, snacks for school, garbage bags, laundry detergent, etc.

Of course we grab the good deals and some of their fresh produce, frozen foods, and bakery deals. Which reminds me of a tip, take a cooler, maybe two coolers if you have the room and do stock up trips. I tend to take two coolers and put refreezable ice packs in them to keep the frozen and refrigerated food cold until we get home.

I usually end up placing about two online orders a year too for fill-ins or seasonal items. We have a basic membership so we do have to pay for shipping. If you think you’ll do more online ordering the Plus membership gets you free shipping.

So I know you’re ready for the deal. Save $35 off a basic or plus membership at Sam’s Club. That means a basic membership is only $15! That’s for one year of Sam’s Club savings. The $35 off also works on the Plus membership. This is a limited time deal. This is the perfect time to grab it for early holiday shoppers, stocking up on Halloween candy, or getting holiday baking supplies.

Other Membership Fees Going Up? Join Club for Only $15*! Ends Soon. *Terms Apply. See site for details.

This post does contain affiliate links. I will earn a commission when actions are completed through my links.

FREE Event tomorrow! Saturday Sept 14, 2024: Motor for Meals Event with the Central PA Food Bank

This event is happening tomorrow but I love the cause so I wanted to post about it just in case anyone wanted to attend.

Saturday September 14, 2024 the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (CPFB) will be hosting a Motors for Meals event to help raise awareness of food insecurity in the community in partnership with the PACE Miata Club.

Motors for Meals is a free community event that is part of Hunger Action Month, a time when the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank joins with Feeding America food banks across the U.S. to raise awareness on the issue of hunger in our communities and raise our collective voices to advocate, educate and work together to end hunger & food insecurity.  

The community will enjoy face painting, food trucks, car cruise, and tours of the Central PA Food Bank warehouse. The tours will begin at 10:30 am and there will also be a brief awards ceremony at 12:30 pm.  

When: Saturday, September 14, 2024 

Time: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm 

Where: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank 

3908 Corey Road Harrisburg, PA 17109 

Come out and enjoy this free event for a good cause. I think this would be a great way to learn about the struggles some Pennsylvanians may be facing and learn about resources.

About the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank:  

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a nonprofit organization with a mission of fighting hunger, improving lives, and strengthening communities. It provides meals for 202,000 neighbors each month, by working with its 1,100 partner agencies and with the critical help of more than 15,000 volunteers. Its bold goal is to provide access to enough nutritious food for everyone struggling with hunger in each of the 27 central Pennsylvania counties it serves by working with its collaborative network and convening and nurturing partnerships to make progress toward ending hunger. Recognizing that there is a direct correlation between hunger and being marginalized, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is committed to working against racism and other systematic obstacles that prevent people from thriving. 

About PACE Miata Club: 

To unite Central Pennsylvania Mazda Miata enthusiasts in a spirit of friendship and to enhance their enjoyment and knowledge of the Miata. Back in 1992, Miatas were becoming more numerous in the central Pennsylvania area but there was no Miata club since the short-lived Keystone Club had disbanded. Our founder, Dave Allen, decided to remedy this sad situation and travelled to the Miatas at Indy event in the summer of 1992 to get the charter for a new club from the Miata Club of America. Also at that Indy event were Bob & Jo Bookwalter and Julie Swope and these three Miatas (one blue, one white, one red) formed the nucleus of the new club. That summer, more Miata nuts joined the club and after a few local drives, in October PACE took its first run to the Skyline Drive. 

Penn Highlands Community College 2024 Fall Personal Enrichment Classes Offerings Released

Hey Johnstown and Altoona, PA, Did you know that Penn Highlands Community College offers Personal Enrichment classes to the public. I’ve personally taken some of the personal enrichment classes at Penn Highlands and they are a nice value for the fee.

A couple years ago I took a Christmas cookie personal enrichment class at Penn Highlands. They provide the materials and I got to take home a tray of cookies for my family.

The offerings change each semester. For the Fall 2024 semester, these are the current offerings for personal enrichment classes.

Arts & Crafts

  • Introduction to Calligraphy | $65.00 (10/2, 10/9, 10/16 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)
  • Intermediate Calligraphy – Flourish | $45.00 (10/30 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)
  • Intermediate Calligraphy – Watercolor | $45.00 (11/6 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)
  • Christmas Card Calligraphy *NEW | $45.00 (11/20 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)

Packages are available for a 20% Discount.

  • Fall Mesh Wreath Making | $45.00 (10/1 | 6p-9p | Blair Campus)
  • Witch’s Hat Wreath Making | $45.00 (10/16 | 6p-9p | Blair Campus)
  • Christmas Mesh Wreath Making | $45.00 (11/6 | 6p-9p | Blair Campus)
  • Santa’s Hat Wreath Making | $45.00 (11/20 | 6p-9p | Blair Campus)

Computer

  • Basic Smartphone Learning (Android) | $35.00 (10/14, 10/16, & 10/21 | 4:30p-5:30p | Richland Campus)
  • Basic Smartphone Learning (iPhone) |$35.00 (10/14, 10/16, & 10/21 | 6p-7p | Richland Campus)
  • Beyond the Basics Smartphone Learning (Android) | $35.00 (10/28, & 10/30 | 4:30p-5:30p | Richland Campus)
  • Beyond the Basics Smartphone Learning (iPhone) |$35.00 (10/28, & 10/30 | 6p-7p | Richland Campus)
  • Microsoft Excel for Personal Use | $35.00 (11/4, 11/11, & 11/18 | 6p-8:30p | Richland Campus)
  • Adobe Pro for Business | $35.00 (11/7, 11/14, 11/21 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)

Food & Baking

  • Art of Charcuterie | $59.00 (10/23 | 6p-8:30p | Richland Campus)
  • Gob Making | $59.00 (11/6 | 6p-8:30p | Richland Campus
  • Nut Roll | $59.00 (11/18 | 6p-9p | Richland Campus)
  • Pierogi Making | $59.00 (11/14 | 6p-9p | Richland Campus)
  • Sushi Making | $65.00 (10/16 | 6p-8:30p | Richland Campus)

Spirits

  • Introduction to Mixology |$49.00 (10/15 & 10/17 | 6p-7p | Richland Campus)
  • Mixology – Beyond the Introduction *NEW $49.00 (11/5 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)
  • Spooky Mixology | $39.00 (10/22 | 6p-7p | Richland Campus)
  • Harry Potter Mixology *NEW | $39.00 (11/12 | 6p-7p | Richland Campus)
  • Christmas Mixology | $39.00 (12/3 | 6p-7p | Richland Campus)

Packages are available for a 20% discount.

Mocktails *NEW

  • Fall Mocktails | $45.00 (10/29 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)
  • Christmas Mocktails | $45.00 (12/10 | 6p-8p | Richland Campus)

Packages are available at 20% discount.

Which personal enrichment classes would you want to take?

Penn State Extension Offering Free Webinar To Navigate Health Insurance and Mental Health for Seniors

Penn State Extension is offering a free webinar to help people navigate their insurance and mental health “Smart Choice/Smart Use Health Insurance: Smart Actions for Mental Health,” is aimed at helping people understand how to use health insurance to pay for mental health care and manage expenses related to ongoing care.

This webinar will take place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. October 10.

Organizers noted that mental health care is a rapidly evolving sector of insurance, so it’s important to know your coverage should you or a family member require services. During this event, participants can discover the range of services available, understand the importance of seeking treatment for mental health challenges, and learn how to use insurance to cover expenses and manage costs.

I can only speak for myself but my coverage through my insurance has definitely improved and lets me access virtual counseling. I love that option

Attendees will learn:

— What is considered mental health care services.

— The importance of seeking early treatment for mental health challenges.

— How you can use health insurance to pay for mental health care and manage expenses.

This webinar is free, but attendees must register by 11:45 p.m. October 9 to get the access link. Those who register also will receive a link to watch the recording of the program.

For more details and to sign up, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/smart-choice-health-insurancetm-smart-actions-for-mental-health or call 877-345-0691.

Navigating health insurance can sometimes be confusing. Education is the best tool!