Cancel that check and flight!

Decided to buy a few Liberty Tax Service franchises after going to Las Vegas to attend an informational session. Actually wrote them a deposit check for three locations and booked a flight to attend training in VA but had buyer's remorse and backed out. Part of the motivation was wanting to get out of my corporate job and running my own business. And the thought of operating a seasonal business from December through May was appealing. However, the several factors that pulled me back were 1. I saw an ad for a Liberty franchise re-sale in N. California for dirt cheap 2. It wasn't too difficult to get accepted as a franchisee 3. the rent in OC is too high to make the business profitable and worthwhile.

Since then, I'm so glad that I didn't move forward with it. The franchise that is less than a mile from my house has not done well at all this tax season. I don't even think that it was open for business at all as far as I can tell.

Tues 9/26:
$0 brought lunch
$17 carwash
$0 leftovers for dinner

Wed 9/27:
$85 birthday lunch for two at Bistango (ham and melon, roasted garlic soup, eggplant soup, fettucini with steak and mushrooms, crab and lobster cake, tiramisu with strawberry salsa)
$0 frozen dinner
$362 roundtrip flight ticket to Norfolk, VA

Thurs 9/28:
$125 last ortho payment!
$0 colleague picked up lunch at pho restaurant
$36 dinner for two at Maki Zushi

Friday 9/29:
$0 company lunch
$0 colleague picked up Starbucks
$0 prepared dinner

Sat 9/30:
$19 drycleaning
$45 dinner for 2 at Marco Polo (saved $10 with Entertainment card)
$12 two tickets for movie
$7 popcorn and candy at theater

Sunday 10/1:
$5.50 tollroads to Corona
$51 groceries at Pacific Ranch Market
$0 prepared dinner

Monday 10/2:
$0 brought lunch
$105 dinner for two at SevenS Steakhouse (French onion soup, Alaskan king crab, Kobe ribeye, potatoes au gratin, creamed corn, mashed potatoes with pancetta and fried leeks)

Tues 10/3:
$10 Persian buffet lunch at Orchid
$0 leftovers for dinner

Wed 10/4:
$55 ridiculous bank charges at PPF Bank and Trust (closed the account due to awful customer dis-service, worse website, run the other way!)
$6 lunch at Charo Chicken
$0 frozen dinner

Thurs 10/5:
$595 logo and stationery design
$7 lunch at Oki Doki (vermicelli noodles with egg rolls)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Fri 10/6:
$3 lunch at Banh Mi Che Cali
$26 dinner for 2 at Coco's (saved $5 with coupon)
$25 groceries at Whole Foods Market

Sat 10/7:
$300 two months' interest payment to brother
$300 two months' interest payment and for gardener to mom
$15 takeout for 3 at Quan Thanh (Viet broken rice with shredded pork and grilled pork chop)
$6 takeout desserts at Banh Mi Che Cali
$9 parking for Anaheim Auto Show
$20 admission for 2 for Auto Show
$20 dinner for two at Zankou Chicken (Zagat rated hole in the wall Armenian rotisserie chicken)
$10 takeout pastries at Persian/French bakery

Sunday 10/8:
$171 Costco
$551 Toshiba Dual Core laptop (2 day sale and after rebate)
$66 Magic Bullet blender and Melitta One:One pod coffee maker (on clearance) at Linens N Things (saved $19 with 20% coupons)
$105 accessories at Pier 1 Imports
$31 Ralph's
$75 pair of Adidas at Off Broadway Shoes
$0 prepared dinner (parmesan risotto with pancetta, ribeye cube steak, pan fried leeks)

Mon 10/9:
$8 lunch at pho restaurant
$0 leftovers for dinner

Tues 10/10:
$20 treated mom and sister to lunch at Chinese place
$0 frozen dinner

Wed 10/11:
$23 oil change at EZ Lube (saved $13 with coupon)
$6 lunch at Zon Baguette
$75 dinner for two at Green Parrot Cafe (saved $25 with coupon, grilled shrimp over Asian slaw, tomato and mozarella over potato roestibraised beef ribs, pork tenderloin, creme brulee, chocolate souffle)

Thurs 10/12:
$0 colleague treated to lunch at Russell's Seafood Palace (French style cubed beef and salt and pepper fish fillet)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Fri 10/13:
$13 lunch at Wing Nuts (cheeseburger and garlic parmesan chicken wings)
$21 Pizza Hut delivery

Sat 10/14:
$24 drycleaning
$42 Marshall's
$0 leftover pizza for lunch
$18 dinner for two at Corner Bakery
$20 two movie tickets for The Grudge II at AMC
$3 popcorn

Sunday 10/15:
$11 groceries at Ralph's (saved $32 in coupons and $50 in rewards certificates)
$16 haircut
$80 massage at Tustin Health Spa
$0 prepared dinner
$82 two 2007 Entertainment Books

Mon 10/16:
$8 lunch at Viet pho joint
$

Tues 10/17:
$0 brought lunch
$170 TJ Maxx
$0 leftovers for dinner

Wed 10/18:
$0 colleague treated to birthday lunch at Acapulco
$28 dinner for two at Thai Specialty II (saved $8 with Entertainment coupon)

Thurs 10/19:
$0 lunch at Habana (colleague lost bet: she said that planes cannot takeoff from John Wayne Airport before 8AM and I said it was earlier)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Fri 10/20:
$0 brought lunch
$7 dinner at Carl's Jr
$875 signed up for 2 day real estate investment seminar

Sat 10/21:
$5 carne asada burrito from Taco Factory
$5 tollroads to Corona
$210 birthday dinner for two at Napa Rose at Grand California Resort (cornmeal crepe stuffed with crab, bacon wrapped monkfish, comice pear salad, duckbreast with bbq sauce and pomegranate, ribeye, grilled tenderloin, pecan sticky bun with ginger ice cream and pecans, apple crostada with vanilla ice cream)

Sun 10/22:
$0 birthday lunch with family (7 Courses of Beef)
$49 groceries at Trader Joe's
$0 prepared dinner

Monday 10/23:
$4 takeout lunch from Thuy's Food to Go
$22 dinner for two at Don Jose (saved $9 with Entertainment coupon)

Tuesday 10/24:
$0 brought lunch
$0 leftovers for dinner

Wed 10/25:
$2 lunch at Banh Mi Che Cali
$6 takeout dinner from Zon Baguettes
$40 Three's Company Season 8 and Oral B toothbrush heads from Amazon
$46 Dazzle DVD Creator from Amazon

Thurs 10/26:
$0 company lunch
$148 Ambien prescription
$47 gas
$0 frozen dinner

Friday 10/27:
$0 brought lunch
$32 alcohol and snacks for poker party
$20 lost at poker game

Sat 10/28:
$42 Marshall's
$30 patch of tire
$32 drycleaning
$40 dinner for two at Koji's (chicken and Kobe beef shabu shabu, saved $18 with Entertainment card)
$14 dessert and coffee for two at Gypsy Den

Sun 10/29:
$32 breakfast for two at Zov's Bistro
$62 groceries at Ralph's (saved $30 with coupons)
$0 prepared dinner (rolled meatloaf stuffed with spinach, red peppers and provolone, roasted potatoes and onion in olive oil and balsamic vinegar)

Mon 10/30:
$0 colleague treated to birthday lunch at Habana
$0 leftovers for dinner

Tues 10/31:
$0 lunch at pho joint, colleague lost bet (she said Grey's Anatomy was in season 2, I said season 3)
$8 halloween treats
$38 dinner for two at Coco's and whole pie to go

Wed 11/1:
$0 brought lunch
$6 takeout Chinese food

Thurs 11/2:
$875 registration for two day Mike Watson Real Estate Seminar
$9 parking at Atrium Hotel for Mike Watson Real Estate seminar
$10 lunch at Russell's Seafood Palace (beef brocolli)
$5 Starbucks

Fri 11/3:
$9 lunch at Thai Spice
$9 parking for second day of seminar
$0 leftovers for dinner
$37 Nautica pullover on Amazon (Friday sale, normally $79)
$53 year's supply of disposable cat litter bags online

Sat 11/4:
$3 community rummage sale
$43 groceries at Trader Joe's
$86 a 2nd ipod shuffle
$13 dinner for two at Taco Mesa (saved $7 with Entertainment coupon)
$11 Starbucks for two

Sun 11/5:
$180 Costco (including $100 giftcard)
$11 more groceries at Vons
$0 prepared dinner

Mon 11/6:
$0 expensed lunch
$5 tollroads to Riverside
$0 leftovers for dinner

Tues 11/7:
$8 lunch at Vietnam Pearl
$6 pastries from French's Bakery
$65 dinner for two at Black Sheep Bistro (tapas night)

Wed 11/8:
$8 lunch at Greek place
$0 leftovers for dinner

Thursday 11/9:
$2 takeout lunch at Circle K
$29 two real estate books from Borders
$0 leftovers for dinner

Friday 11/10:
$10 lunch at Pho 99
$0 prepared dinner

Sat 11/11:
$63 Target
$13 lunch for two at Chick Fil A
$48 Marshalls
$115 dinner fort 2 at French 75 (last time going there, pricey for very mediocre food)
$68 Bed Bath and Beyond

Sun 11/12:
$6 two smoothies at Juice it Up (saved $3 with coupon)
$82 groceries at Ralph's (saved $38 with coupons)
$14 admission for 2 at La Brea Tarpits
$9 parking for La Brea Tarpits
$3 parking at The Grove
$7 beignets, red beans and rice and cornbread at Farmers Market
$12 clam chowder and bay shrimp salad at Farmers Market
$11 Korean bbq at Farmers Market
$114 two bags of import groceries at Monsieur Marcel at LA Farmers Market (including $45 bottle of balsamic vinegar)

Mon 11/13:
$0 brought lunch
$2 tip for prepaid carwash
$0 leftovers for dinner

Tues 11/14:
$640 two roundtrip tickets from Long Beach to Salt Lake City for Thanksgiving weekend ski trip
$8 lunch at Vien Dong in (crispy fried noodles) Garden Grove
$6 takeout from Alberto's (nachos)

Wed 11/15:
$9 six sandwiches and an iced coffee at Banh Mi Che Cali
$230 six front yard real estate for sale signs
$0 prepared dinner

Thurs 11/16:
$0 brought lunch
$0 prepared dinner

Fri 11/17:
$10 lunch at George's Thai Bistro
$13 takeout for 2 from KFC
$15 TJ Maxx

Sat 11/18:
$0 CEO picked up breakfast at Zov's
$17 drycleaning
$5 tollroads to Corona
$61 Office Depot (saved $20 with coupon)
$41 dinner for 2 at Orange County Mining Company (saved $20 with Entertainment card)

Sun 11/19:
$15 haircut at Great Clips
$85 massage at Tustin Health Spa
$800 twenty 45 minute private golf lessons
$0 prepared dinner
$5 ice cream for two at Coldstone Creamery (saved $4 with coupon)

Mon 11/20:
lunch?
$12 takeout for two at Alberto's (awesome nachos and fish tacos)

Tues 11/21:
$0 brought lunch
$11 dinner for two at Japanese ramen shop (saved $7 with Entertainment coupon)
$78 two pairs of golf shoes at Off Broadway Shoes (saved $23 with coupon)
$58 various xmas decorations at Lowe's

Wed 11/22:
$14 picked up lunch for colleague at Oki Doki (vermicelli with egg rolls)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Thurs 11/23:
Happy Turkey Day!
$18 breakfast and snacks for plane ride
$76 3 day Avis midsize car rental through Priceline
$600 3 nights at very nicely remodeled 2 bedroom condo in Park City (found on Craigslist)
$8 Starbucks for two
$ groceries at Albertson's
$36 dinner for two at Roadside Grill in Park City

Friday 11/24:
$110 misc gloves, googles and thermals at TJ Maxx
$60 ski and boot rentals for two at Alta (icy but the best early season conditions of any of the resort areas)
$26 crappy lunch for two at ski lodge
$66 pair of Nike Air Zoom at outlet center
$100 dinner for two at The Mustang on Main in Park City (wonderful meal, should be rated 25+ Zagat, saved $37 with coupon in local paper)

Sat 11/15:
$35 lunch for two at Red Iguana (Zagat rated 27, mole negro with chicken and mole coloradito with pork)
$7 Orange Julius and Blizzard
$11 matinee for 2 at Gateway Center (Casino Royale)
$0 leftovers for dinner
$24 gas for rental and juice

Sun 11/26:
$13 dinged for 1.5 gallons of gas for rental car tank not being completely full
$45 3 days parking at Long Beach Airport
$71 groceries at Ralph's (saved $26 with coupons)
$5 tollroads to Corona
$11 golf glove at Sports Authority
$6 paper at Staples
$115 gifts and xmas ornaments at TJ Maxx
$0 prepared dinner

Mon 11/27:
$12 lunch at Russell's Seafood Palace (salt and pepper fish fillet, chow fun with beef, shrimp with Chinese greens)
$5 takeout from Jack in the Box (saved $4 with coupon)

Tues 11/28:
$10 lunch at Ca 7 Mon (grilled pork, grilled beef, shrimp)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Wed 11/29:
$0 expensed lunch to welcome new staff member
$12 sample ceramic tiles from Lowe's for upcoming laundry room remodel
$0 leftovers for dinner

Thurs 11/30:
$8 lunch at Pho 99
$12 Rite Aid
$0 leftovers for dinner

Fri 12/1:
$43 gas
$11 lunch at George's Thai Bistro (spicy salmon with basil fried rice)
$75 gift cards from Green Parrot Cafe ($105 dollars of gift cards for $75 dollars)

Sat 12/2:
$4 Carl's Jr
$25 alcohol for friend's xmas party

Sun 12/3:
$5 tollroads to Corona
$200 interest payment to mom
$150 interest payment to brother
$140 gardener for rental property
$31 groceries at Vons
$240 xmas gifts and misc at Marshalls
$0 prepared dinner

Mon 12/4:
$5 takeout at Thuy's Food to Go (salmon and tofu with shrimp)
$6 takeout from Rally's
$810 tile and cabinets from Home Depot and Lowe's for laundry room remodel

Tues 12/5:
$5 takeout lunch at Zon Baguette (chicken salad and steamed pork bun)
$0 leftovers for dinner
$20 wireless keyboard and mouse set from Buy.com (saved $20 with rebate)

Wed 12/6:
$8 lunch at Pho 99
$71 dinner for two at Green Parrot Cafe (saved $26 with coupon, salmon croquette, 3 cheese fried risotto bites, grilled pear salad, butternut squash salad, salmon with miso glaze, meatloaf)
$9 Target
$70 Panasonic noice cancelling earphones from Buy.com (saved $20 with Google checkout)

Thurs 12/7:
$0 brought lunch
$10 Trader Joe's
$0 leftovers for dinner

Friday 12/8:
$29 Jenn Air Altrezza blender from Overstock.com (normally $150+ in retail stores)
$0 company holiday luncheon at Onotria (lentil soup, braised tri tip in red wine bbq sauce, lemoncello cheesecake)
$16 dinner for two at Denny's (saved $8 with coupon)
$1550 Kenmore Oasis washer and dryer from Sears Appliance Outlet

Sat 12/9:
$5 donuts
$0 lunch at mom's
$21 takeout dinner for 4 from Quan Thanh
$12 takeout desserts from Banh Mi Che Cali
$2300 Natuzzi leather sofa and loveseat for mom from DonnaKen

Sun 12/10:
$5 tollroads to Corona
$3 Taco Bell
$56 paint and supplies at OSH
$13 office supplies at Office Depot
$23 software at Staples
$43 gas
$51 groceries at Albertson's
$0 prepared dinner

Mon 12/11:
$0 ex-boss treated to lunch at Javier's (chicken enchilada and shredded beef taco)
$0 prepared dinner

Tues 12/12:
$4 takeout lunch from Burger King (vanilla shake and Italian chicken sandwich)
$11 carwash
$10 takeout for two at the Taco Factory (carne asada burrito and taquitos)

Wed 12/13:
$8 lunch at Russell's Seafood Palace (salt and pepper pork, shrimp with Chinese greens, beef with black pepper sauce)
$0 prepared dinner

Thurs 12/14:
$0 brought lunch
$9 groceries at Ralph's
$0 leftovers for dinner

Friday 12/15:
$0 office holiday potluck lunch
$0 prepared dinner

Sat 12/16:
$9 parking at Anaheim Convention Center
$0 Marshall Sylver Turning Point Seminar (regularly $1500 for 2 attendees)
$12 lunch at Molly's
$12 picked up Starbucks for 4 at seminar
$30 dinner for two at Thai Nakorn
Sunday 12/17:
$9 parking at Anaheim Convention Center
$0 friend treated to lunch with mentorship coach at Marshall Sylver seminar
$25 dinner for two at Sizzler (saved $8 with coupon)
$63 xmas gifts at Marshalls
$37 two books from Amazon

Mon 12/18:
$8 lunch at Viet place
$0 prepared dinner mushroom quiche

Tues 12/19:
$0 expensed $5 tollroads to Riverside
$0 expensed lunch at The Mission Inn in Riverside
$16 haircut
$50 gift certificate from Black Sheep Bistro
$0 leftovers for dinner

Wed 12/20:
$12 lunch buffet at Orchid Persian
$95 dinner for 4 at brewery and Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights

Thurs 12/21:
$11 lunch at Mandarin Palace
$0 leftovers for dinner

Fri 12/22:
$52 treated two colleagues to lunch at Memphis
$0 leftovers for dinner

Sat 12/23:
$190 cash xmas gifts
$3 tollroad to Riverside
$7 two Blizzards at Dairy Queen
$47 gas
$960 Bose 3-2-1 speaker system from Circuit City

Sun 12/24:
$620 Sony DAV X1 speaker system from Circuit City (returned the Bose, one day sale)
$13 two 512 mb USB thumb drives from Circuit City (one day sale and $26 in rebates)
$6 popcorn at AMC (Borat)
$55 dinner for two at TGI Friday's

Mon 12/25:
$24 two buckets of balls at Tustin Ranch driving range
$180 massages for two at Tustin Health Spa
$101 groceries at Albertson's
$130 xmas gifts for sisters
$55 Red Dot Golf Discount Guide

Tues 12/26:
$0 emergency food drawer lunch
$9 shirt from TJ Maxx
$0 prepared dinner

Wed 12/27:
$8 takeout lunch from Vietnam Pearl
$19 two medium pizzas from Papa John's

Thurs 12/28:
$0 expensed lunch for two at an Italian restaurant in San Diego ($70)
$0 leftovers for dinner

Friday 12/29:
$14 lunch at Quan Hop
$36 dinner for two at Citrus Cafe (saved $18 with Entertainment card)

Sat 12/30:
$6 tollroads to Corona
$17 dinner for two at The Cravey (saved $7 with Entertainment card)
$24 two movie tickets and a Starbucks at movies (Night at the Museum)

Sun 12/31:
$0 groceries at Ralphs (saved $92 with coupons and Ralph's rewards certificates)
$16 misc stuff at CVS pharmacy (saved $10 with coupons)
$47 gas
$85 two prescriptions at CVS pharmacy
$109 dinner for 5 at Brodard Chateau (crepes with shrimp, shrimp with fried yams, lettuce wraps, spicy beef salad, seafood in clay pot, tiger prawns with garlic noodles, glass noodles with egg and shrimp)