CFI stands for Continuous Fiscal Improvement. It is a project within Microsoft to explore cost efficacy opportunities. In 2003 I'm adopting this rationale to seek chances to reduce my living expenses and get extra income (it is the sixth goal in my 2003 Objectives, originally named as "EPS Saving").

Here is how I performed in this area in 2003:

Auto Insurance Savings ($189), by switching to Country Insurance in the middle of my original Progressive 6-month term. Saving equals $384 of Progressive refund multiply by 53% of the premium savings minus $15 WSFB membership fee (required for the rate).

AT&T Cable Plan ($23), by removing the Broadband Monthly magazine. $23 equals 11 monthly charge of $3.30 minus a change fee of $5.00.

Gas ($36), by intentionally filling mostly at Arco and other cheap stations with a saving of at least $3/month.

Seattle Times ($50), by stopping subscription for 9 months at $7.50/month rate.

MealCard Bonus ($30), by depositing $300 into my corporate MealCard during a promotional period to get 10% bonus.

AmeriTrade Bonus ($75), by participating in the promotion to start a new AmeriTrade account.

CitiBank Deal ($95), by participating in a $100 CitiBank checking promotion minus $5 of lost interest.

PayPal Bonus ($10), by registering PayPal accounts for both me and my wife and getting $5 per account bonus.

ShareBuilder MasterCard Rebate ($170), by charging most of my living expenses to the card I expect 1% cash back. 17,000 points have been accumulated by December end.

BigFuss Rebate ($27), by performing online purchase thru links of BigFuss Cashback Market. I received $27 check so far. (BTW, I don't recommend BigFuss now ... it hasn't paid out my another withdrawal of $15.)

Upromise Rebate ($47), by registering my cards at Upromise.com I have accumulatd $47 worth of rebate so far. (I haven't cashed out yet.)

Altogether my CFI efforts result in $752 cost reduction or additional income. Not a bad year!