How much time do you plan on spending in condo?
Posted By: sm on 2007-07-14
In Reply to: Need sharp MT mind inputs. What would you do? sm - Haven't vacationed in long time
If it is just a place to sleep and shower while you do the tourist thing, I would go with the cheaper place. But if your plan is to spend time with family talking, hanging out, I would go to condo and relax on beach. The men can go golf while you relax on beach even. If there is a kitchen in the condo and not in the other place, you will save money on food, and it is always fun to hang in a kitchen, cook together, have a few drinks and a few laughs.
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Didn't plan it, but seems I am spending mine with a SM
terrible head cold. UGH! 
Yeah, my bro. said what you said - not spending a lot of time in sm
condo except to sleep, etc. Both places have nice kitchens, though. I don't know. I usually spend the most time in the condo. We will be there 8 days. Thanks for your input..Still torn though! haha
Spending time with parents, absolutely
Mother and daddy divorced but my brother and I spent summer vacations, Christmas, visited daddy, traveled with him and his wife. Tried keeping my children and now my grandchildren close with my mother and daddy (their grandparents and great-grandparents). My son spent summers with both grandparents when he was young but as he aged, they did not seem to be that important in his life. I always, always visited my parents, my grandmother (only one I ever knew out of the 4, others deceased), my aunts, and on and on. I was never asked to stay close, that was just me and I loved it.
condo
Is there a big difference in price? If not, I would go with the more expensive one but if there is a huge difference and you don't plan on spending time in the condo alot then go cheaper. If you like to be on the beach alot I would go with that one. Me personally would spend a little more and go on the beach!
We have grown children and paid up condo. SM
I think about advice I would give others. Getting any part-time job I could, delivering papers, selling Avon (people still buy Avon), renting room out in house. If elderly people near you, offer transportation or shopping service. One thing is, no matter what, no one should just sit around waiting for another job, be they male or female.
I live in condo and go to park to grill out. SM
I use an automatic lighter, but the thing stinks. It's just a cheapie thing, maybe they all are. Are there any better lighters out there? I'm not taking Sharper Image, but just something better you might use to light candles, start a fire or what not?
I'm sure I sound stupid. I'm not exactly Miss Handyperson. If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate it. Or should I just go to Home Depot and try to find someone (which is the problem with that place) to help.
This has to be the dumbest question asked all day on this board, I know.
We have been spending less than 100
And we are starving. DH took over going to the grocery store from me (He thought I spent too much when I would spend about 150 a week.) It has been months since we do not have a bare cupboard. I am not complaining. I understand we are broke and he needs to pay the creditors. But the one person who has pretty much stopped eating is me. I am home all day and there is never bread to make a sandwich and I often pass up supper because I am tired of eating junky stuff like mac and cheese or spaghetti with meat sauce. He and our 11 year old son, on the other hand eat thirds of whatever meal it is. I get kind of annoyed. Our littlest boy and middle girl eat very little. All 3 take their lunch to school. I say to DH either stop eating so much (for him and the older boy) or buy more. He flips his eyes at me. We even stopped getting microwave popcorn which used to fill them up. So, now I am hoping to work extra to go to the grocery store myself and put an extra 100 a week in myself, but I keep running out of work.
You see, this all started when we started running out of work in transcription about a year ago this fall, and my DH took over the bills. Apparently food was the first to be cut. And, BTW I don't ever go anywhere because there is no gas in my car, and it has 2 flat tires. We live by the school and I borrow DH's car to take the kids but it is always on empty. We seem to make it every time. Oh, well. No need to complain. Just cutting back. The family is lucky I work at home, don't use gas, barely eat. But I do have to pay 10 bucks a month for nerve pills, because it is hard doing without. Like I said, when work picks up transcribing first place I am going after I get gas for the car is to the food store. Eventually I can repair my flat tires.
For those of you spending $1000+
What sorts of things are you buying? I don't think I spend nearly that amount, but my children and family still receive what they want, even my teenager. I can't imagine spending so much money at one time on gifts, so I'm curious what it is that's costing y'all so much. :)
Let him - for the money you/he is spending in gas sm
you can probably get one of those weekly hotels and at least break even. he needs to tell them up front what he is doing and get a good discount, most will give them if long-term situations. he will get a lot more rest and be a much happier person and easier to live with in the long run. driving wears me out more than anything and i feel for him with that commute! maybe he could even get his job to split the cost with him.
Lunch spending
My husband usually brings leftovers for lunch. I give my daughter $20 for lunch at school (to put in her lunch account), and that usually lasts a week. My other daughter is home by lunchtime and she eats what we have here at home. We spend about $100 a week on groceries. On the weekends we usually go out at least once, maybe twice for lunch and spend anywhere from $15-$25 depending on where we go. My oldest is a vegetarian so we actually save money because if we get takeout, she usually doesn't find anything that she wants to eat. When I was working outside the home I spent way to much on lunch every day, usually about $50 a week.
How is it your money she is spending?
President Obama and his wife have their own incomes from royalties, etc., from his book deals, investments of their previous earnings, and also he receives a paycheck for being President just as you do for being an MT.
I don't think that eTransPlus thinks they can tell me what to buy with my paycheck because they send it to me. Once I accepted a job and do my job, it is none of their business what my check is spent on.
If you can't reconcile your views on $, spending sm
and happiness (i.e, that both of you deserve to be heard and to be happy), you are rapidly heading for divorce court. Go read some Suze Orman financial advice for women, for a start, and then get some counseling. He is obviously irresponsible with money and you are not. How old are you two, out of curiosity?
How I am spending my money, ah, vacation
I am getting the FULL retirement because reached the 66 year mark. I had to wait an extra year, used to be 65 but with my year of birth had to wait until 66. No slowing down on the MTing, plan to work the same 4 days as doing now. I sure am planning on doing something special, well first 2 checks and then some because of the cost, escorted travel club, planning on paying towards 3 different vacations, one of them being the Rockies and Canada for 9 days. Excited broad here.
Well, I have not changed my spending habits.
I changed my spending habits based on my own personal situation, not the fact that my neighbor has lost his job and now can't spend like that anymore.
One of our problems is that the people with all the money do not spend in proportion to their income as us poorer folks do. They save it and save it and grow more money from it and their money is not being put back into the economy.
I for one have no problem with a millionaire spending $500 for a pair of shoes or whatever else they want to spend their money on.
Not broke but have changed spending habits.
I did reel in some spending a bit and changed a few things in the budget.
Have no intention of going broke.
Don't smoke either. LOL Couldn't afford to with the new taxes on those things!
I feel your pain too, but not spending my money is not going to help you - nm
x
Cutting back on Christmas spending this year
I thought it might be a good idea to post ideas for gifts that are inexpensive. I have made a few Christmas gifts in years past, but, since I've already given these particular gifts and my family members already "have one", I need new ideas!
I will start with the ideas of gifts I have given in the past:
I made family wreaths for each of my kids (grown). What I did was, buy a nice size wreath at the craft store, purchase inexpensive small frames at the dollar store (or wherever I could find them), made copies of baby pictures of my kids when they were little, family picture, pics of the grandbabies, etc. and framed each one - wired each framed photo onto the wreath, put in some berry sprays or whatever, and a 20 count string of white lights and some ribbon. Then I sprayed them with spray glue and sprinkled with the white snow stuff. Also, I put a few blank frames with Christmas card fronts so that they could add pics from the inlaws (who I did not have pics as children) and new baby pics as appropriate.
They were darling! My daughter in law actually cried when I gave them their wreath!
I also made a similar thing for my mom - I made her a Grandchildren tree - because she has too many grandchildren to get all their pics on a wreath. I just purchased a small, prelit tree from Wal - Mart, and basically, did the same thing - framed pics of all the grandchildren and children, glued ribbon to the back of the frames - hung them like ornaments, added some ribbon and some berry sprays. It was beautiful and she has used it every year since, because it is small and she can put it together herself - without much work.
I will post more ideas in a little bit, but, I need other ideas from all of you - because, how many memory or family wreaths can you give . . .
Make a list of budget/spending priorities for your self employment income
Dave Ramsey's book has a irregular income planning sheet. Basically you list your expenses with the cash flow sheet. With any steady income you allocate it. For irregular income, make a list from the cash flow sheet of what needs to be paid first. Keep a culmulative total.
Spending a romantic weekend in Atlanta with hubby. Leaving at noon. Can't wait! nm
,
Def. Plan B
Gets my vote, esp. presuming that you explained why you were taking that path.
Putting the paper on disk and printing at school was not an unreasonable option, as is telling her to call a neighbor or classmate who lives nearby to see if they have any paper to spare (I would accompany her no more than 3 blocks to pick up paper).
Or, you could also have suggested that she gather up her "nonessential" print jobs and print her paper out on the blank sides of those sheets.
Either way, she needs to deal with the embarrassement and/or reduced grade.
I plan
on doing something. I have printed out his picture and information. I intend to take that into the school and give it to the principal; letting him know I believe they should periodically check this website out and inform their teachers/employees of risks. I may even call the superintendent and voice my concerns with him too.
We have Plan A and Plan B
We had a new house built last year on a nice lakeside lot. We are about 15 years from retirement.
Plan A: We sell the house and retire to New Mexico.
Plan B: We stay here after retirement.
We are both investing in IRAs, 401Ks, etc., and we consider the house a retirement investment as well. As soon as we get our son through college, we will begin putting additional money on the principal so hopefully we can have the house paid off by the time we're ready to retire.
Whether we stay here or move will depend on a lot of things, like cost of living (very low here in Oklahoma, higher in New Mexico - Albuquerque/Santa Fe area), the state of our health, etc. That's why we have Plan A and Plan B.
It seems like she is trying to plan
things for them she thinks they might like. I do not feel she is mistreating them as much as they probably just want to stay home and do all the things they are used to doing. The sound of the mother's note seems like there is some animosity towards her- could play out with how the chidren feel, they can pick up on things like this and play to their advantage. I say have a good talk with the kids as well as the MIL and let all know to give some- the grandmother wants the children over sometimes, not unreasonble on her part.
Plan
My plan is to get the proper number of strips ready and sent in (the syndicates require a certain number be submitted at once so they can see the continued potential). The artist and myself will be 50/50 partners (in writing, of course).
I believe my idea has potential for other outlets if it is picked up (think of some other comic characters).
The money will be split, but I cannot afford to pay anyone up front. Basically we would be business partners.
My plan - sm
Thank you all who responded. Yes, I definitely want to bring him to my house. I guess I just needed some others who love animals to reassure me. :-) I am going to see if he is there this afternoon and how he reacts when I pet him and if I think I can get him in a carrier by myself. Oh, and do not worry - he will DEFINITELY be neutered ASAP. That is not even an option for my cats! I will keep you updated. Thanks again, everyone! :-)
Zero, and plan to keep it that way!
//
sounds like a plan (sm)
You might want to discuss it with him first so he doesn't accuse you of being sneaky and not being sensitive to his needs (lol).
I was in pretty much the same boat and did what you are contemplating.
Guess what? My now ex put HIS money in a separate account (not accessible to me) and I STILL ended up paying all the bills!!
Can anyone recommend a plan for me?
I am 48 and do use my cellphone for emergency use only. Right now, I have Cingular One Go Phone but used it so rarely that within a few months, I had 135.00 in my fund.
I called Cingular One and asked them to switch me over to another plan to use up the 135.00 and she said okay, go to 25 cents per minute and when you deplete your 135.00, you can switch back to the monthly 30.00 plan again. Well, I went on a long trip, my car malfunctioned and when I went to call AAA, the cellphone said I had no minutes...seems I had bought air time which had expired rather than talk time...
So, I was told to buy a telephone card at a store for 100.00 which would last 365 days. Befoire I do this, since I know so very little about the cellphone plans, I wonder if anyone has any great ideas for me or perhaps will say I should do what was suggested?
Thank you much!
I think it helps to plan.
Even if that would be for 7 days. I like to somewhat plan, and then deviate when needed. Staples are pretty much always on hand. For something different, I'll look at cookbooks and write down the ingredients adding them to my shopping list. I think having a list and pretty much knowing what you want to cook each day is a good way to save money and curb overspending on none-such items. I am battling with getting my kids to eat more fruits and veggies, so I am having that struggle (should be eating more rice and not so many potatoes). Good luck.... 
By the way, that's the plan..just have to get through this part first (nm)
f
Sounds like a plan to me!
I agree 100%. Look at her lack of personal responsibility. She has wealth and privilege most people only dream about. She spends her days partying, parading in front of the cameras in skimpy outfits, and essentially doing nothing useful whatsoever. Shame on her! May jail serve as a wake-up call for her to improve herself.
You know, sounds like a plan and
exactly what I was thinking as I returned home. I would not care if he weighed twice as much rather than change in the midst of all this crap and perhaps lose him?? I told her that and when she kept on was very forceful as she was starting to get under my skin. I do not mind mixing a small amount of wet with the dry like she advised after I was so emphatic with her about them not being able to do dialysis. I know the risks with weight, diabetes, arthritic conditions, etc. but I also know now is a bad time to change kitties food when so far so good with the brand I have been giving them. Love them too much to risk their lives right at this very time. I thought seriously about just what you said, changing vets.
My weekend plan:
It's pretty self-explanatory. Buy a nice seedless watermelon, insert funnel and pour in oodles of liquor of choice...vodka, schnapps, rum, etc. (You'd be amazed at how much booze these things can drink!) Let sit overnight in your fridge if you can stand to wait that long, cut up and serve or drill holes into melon and give your best bud a straw and watch the magic happen. See you in rehab.
Now THAT'S a good plan!! nm
First of all don’t plan on retiring-
for what reason? I start drawing pension next year (65) from one company where I used to work but not planning any kind of retirement. I married a younger man a few years ago and we actually moved up in house size from before the marriage. I just think anyone who reaches a certain age should downgrade from any steps in a home- those are for younger folks.
If you are serious about leaving, you need a plan. SM
First, get some therapy for yourself to gain back some self confidence. Then make a plan. Find out how much a divorce attorney costs and start saving. If you are not being physically abused, try to stay in it as long as kids are young. Then make your escape.
Believe me, you are not the only one going through this. Are there any women's groups in your town you can join? You really need to vent. I know what that's like.
Personally I don't plan on becoming one of those - sm
old ladies who has the super short hair all puffed up and look more like a boy. I am with you with keeping hair long, though I don't know Meredith Viera (don't watch much TV). I personally know of two women, one 59 and one 76 who both have long hair, and I mean long, down to their waists. I think it is great. My hair is down to my waist too, though I am only 42. I am with your husband these other women are most likley jealous. Enjoy your hair and don't let the harpies bother you. It's your hair, your head, and you are the only one that needs to like it (I am glad your DH likes it of coure, mine loves my long hair). Next time they comment just let them know it's your hair and you like it long and that you do not need their input on the matter, your hair length is your business nobody elses.
I believe it's the ones without a plan that wins, lol.
We have a very detailed plan...but that just enforces our chances of NOT WINNING!
;-)
Well, it didn't quite go according to plan! LOL
My youngest had a game early Saturday morning, ran our errands and then spent a few hours at a festival our town was having (like a mini-fair). We ate, rode rides, played games (he won a live goldfish) and watched the entertainment. Came home, he went to play at a friend's and I relished in the quietness of the house. :) Woke up this morning sneezing, watery eyes, and having to work for the Q so will get a little more motivated for these projects next weekend!
How many of you have a backup plan
if your spouse were to lose their job? Assuming the MT rate of pay isn't that great I think most of your are probably like me and depend on your husband's employement to pay the majority of the bills. I don't want to live in fear but I am really getting scared with the state of our econmy right now.
We have no backup plan. My in-laws already have their other son (and family of 4) living with them due to job loss. My family lives in another state altogether. I don't know, I guess we would split for a while - me live with my family and he live with his so as not to place a direct burden on any one already struggling family. I just don't know what to think this morning. Should we have some sort of plan in place? Do most people? Our savings has dwindled to nothing this past year with all the increased expenses and we have cut back all we can. There's nothing else to cut other than house/cars/utilities.
backup plan
I've started working as much as I can. I have a FT hourly QA job, PT hourly QA job, transcribe pt and also am gathering some transcription from a local teaching university. At this point I don't feel I can make too much.
I feel very lucky that I can work as much as possible from home-I've landed well. I have a lot of debt, not behind but want to get out from under it. 2 kids in college....so far not too expensive as they are both at a JC. Christmas will be all cash and much skimpier this year. If I didn't have to make all of my monthly payments, I'd be loaded.
I am just crossing my fingers and toes that my husband doesn't lose his job. Times are tough tough tough. But they could be worse.
I'm on the hardship plan too for my
4 credit cards. I pay 6% to 9% interest. I have 4 years to go on 3 of them now.
Why don't you take the money you're saving towards credit counseling and slap it on the $3000 cc? That would cut the amount in half. I wish I could save some money, but between the 3 cards, I pay out $1000 a month. Nothing left over. But at least they are getting paid.
P.S. Don't know about you, but I went under because of DH's surgery 2 years ago plus IRS and went through all savings plus cc's until he could get back to work. Before that, I was slapping 1/2 the amount to the whole amount on the accounts. Didn't know my income was going to drop in half, either.
I just got a plan with PA BCBS and it is
designed that they cannot turn you down. I was just recenty turned down by another plan. I enrolled in this one and it costs me $336.75 a month, but my deductible is $750.00 with a copay of 20% up to a maximum out of pocket of $3,000.00. The other plan they had was $1500 deductible with 20% and a $6,000 out of pocket maximum. They just put in for an increase, but so far these are the costs. I think they call it Classic Blue.
I do not plan to BUT will get an extra - sm
vehicle they can use, but it will not be theirs so to speak. My parents unfortunately treated my brothers and I differently. They were allowed to get jobs while in HS, save up and buy a car which they both did. I was not allowed to work at all with in HS, therefore no way I was able to save up and buy a car. Lucky for me all my friends either were given cars or had access to one that was a family spare. My one brother was kind enough to let me use his car for the whole summer after I graduated HS as he was unable to have it where he was living at the time. My senior year in college my parents allowed me to use my dad's second car (an antique) which unfortunately the brakes failed on. I think out of guilt, and as a pre-graduation present my parents bought me a Nissan Sentra wagon so I could haul all my junk around, and so I could get to work (worked 2 jobs while at school and usually rode a bicycle but it got wreaked when I took a turn to fast and crashed). I am sure that went over like a lead balloon with my brothers but my college cost a third of what theirs did so they could not gripe too much. After that initial car I was on my own, paid my insurance, etc. though my dad did lend me the difference on the money I needed to buy a Blazer in 1989 (bank would not give me the full amount I needed) which was kind of him. But I will not spoil them by giving them a car....my neighor has gotten his daughter 3 of those new Mustangs so far, she is 17, has totaled 2 so far. I still cannot believe how stupid they are.
did you plan anything special?
did you plan anything special?
guys depend on us to do all the planning
when it comes to stuff like this
did you plan anything special?
did you plan anything special?
guys depend on us to do all the planning
when it comes to stuff like this
That sounds like a good plan...
but I would be exhausted! I have a very large family to shop for!!!
Do you plan meals in advance
I'm used to going to the grocery store and just looking around (I do have a list of things I need) and deciding on what to make for dinner while I'm standing there. I've never 'planned' meals before.
I am separated and getting divorced and seriously need to cut back on the food bill. We typically spend $700-800 a month for 4 of us. (food and toiletries)
I use coupons when I have them and most things are generic, but not all. Our bill is so high in part because my husband goes to the store everyday to buy breakfast on his way to work and also has special dietary issues. Right off the top without those two factors, I think I will save about $100 a month. Also, two teenagers who eat nonstop is expensive.
I buy lots of vegetables and try to use less meat/chicken, and more veggies but it doesn't always work! I do make soup often but my kids aren't into that as a main meal, just as part of their meal.
I don't buy sodas so that's not an issue.
Should I make a lot of bean type dishes? my kids would rather starve first! Hmm, maybe not a bad way to cut back...!
Does it save money if you plan your (dinner) meals in advance? Any other tips would be great.
If I had at least 4, I would defnitely plan in advance. sm
When I was alone with two kids, I planned a lot of meals, and shopped in advance, according to what was on sale. Kids will eat anything. Why not beans? Just find some good recipes. They love Mexican food with refried beans.
Sounds like a good plan then!
Now you won't feel the need to modify it.
That sounds like a great plan you have...sm
I will pray that they test negative and that you can finally put your mind at ease.....I never understood these selfish ones who drugged during pregnancy....get fixed or tie yourself off and quit having babies if you cannot quit drugging. Sore subject for me....I lost my ONLY sibling to drug abuse 30 years ago and that put a HUGE REALITY CHECK on me back then and has stayed with me ever since; died 30 years ago THIS coming week. Take care - I'll CYA here again, I am sure :)
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