I would definitely stop this expensive gifts, but
Posted By: .- on 2009-05-19
In Reply to: Giving freely but never getting back - is a bum deal
I think that your son/daughter is either spoiled or maybe really depressed.
I would try to get closer to him/her and 'shake' him/her up to get out of this lethargy.
You did not explain much how your relationship with your son/daughter is in general?
If he/she is maried, children, etc....
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Stop with the expensive gifts.
Do gift cards and such, but don't knock yourself out.
call them up, tell them to stop or you will start considering them free gifts.
:)
Stop! Stop! Memories
Keypunch machines. That's why my hearing is a bit off now. LOL
First personal computer and printer: An Epson and continuous paper printer with DOS operating system. Cost: $3500.
I still have my mood rings and my torquoise jewelry but lost my class ring in the grocery store.It was expensive, $50, black onxy stone and gold band.
Snowstorms that shut the towns down for days on end. Couldn't get out to go to work unless you worked close to home and could walk. Schools never shut down. Five of us walked a mile a day to school with snow up to our hips. Our lessons for the day? Study hall.
My first car was a ི Chevy coupe. Gas was $.27 a gallon and I chauffered 5 friends to and from school for $.25 a week. On Friday and Sat. nights there was a dance with a group that became 'almost famous.' They got as far as the Steel Pier in Atlantic City dance club. It was a big deal to be on TV in those days. On those nights, I would go to the next town and pick up anybody hitch hiking to the dance. (I wasn't allowed to go to the dances). I wired the car with an older portable record player that only played 45s and kept my records under the seat.Worked great except when I would hit a bump. LOL
Bandstand every day from 3:30 to 5:00 EST.
Sleigh riding in the winter on our Flexible Flyer. We did it on steep coal banks. Much better thrill. Then we found out cardboard worked even better. No getting stuck halfway down the bank because the sleigh rails would hit a larger piece of coal sticking up.
Hide-and-seek when it got dark. I missed the pole and hit face first. What a bloody mess, but you didn't run to the ER for it.
Throwing corn at the nasty neighbor's house at Halloween. He called the cops. We ran and hid. I was caught. Where was I hiding? In the neighbor's garbage pile. Today garbage piles are called compost piles.
It seems it would probably be less expensive SM
to just buy fabric and cut it out yourself. There are some great fabric stores with home dec fabrics. Anyway, should be easy, since just straight sewing.
Can anyone tell me just how expensive it is
to get a hearing aid, including the evaluation and the price of the device? My husband is driving me crazy. He can't seem to hear very well anymore and he is such a grump. We have insurance but I was wondering what to expect. I really have no idea if it is $250 or $2000. Thanks if you can help me. 
Why do that have to be expensive?? (nm)
x
**they have to be expensive????? (nm)
x
I think they are expensive. Would rather have
x
Uniforms are NOT more expensive.
My kids have been in public school and in Catholic school. Buying uniforms is waaaay cheaper than buying back-to-school clothes. My boys are required to wear khaki pants and a polo shirt, and non-scuff type brown shoes. (I choose to buy Skechers.) Each started with two pairs of pants and three shirts, and I spent less than $300 the first year. The clothing lasted all years, and I found that one pair of Skechers per boy was a good investment. One pair made it through an entire school year. (Previously I bought cheap Pay Less shoes every couple of months.) As time goes on, the older son handed down uniforms to the younger brother. I replaced uniform shirts or pants as needed, and there was no big rush to go school shopping in the beginning of the year. Our school also offers uniform exchanges to keep costs down, and will provide uniforms for free through the Home and School Association to families with financial need.
As far as expressing their individuality through their clothing, they still have street clothes for life outside of school, and they can express their individuality then. Or, they can be individuals simply by being themselves, because that's how it's done. I think the "expressing individuality" issues is over-rated. What we need more of these days is people thinking about the team, about each other, and how their actions impact the entire community. We need less of it's-all-about-me attitude, in my opinion. If uniforms help in that regard, I'm very much for them!
Often several people will go in together to get a more expensive
jk,
Mine are not the expensive ones
like you probably had but at the same time offered 1 and then told I could sell myself for twice so just decided to keep and wear myself. The funny thing is to just look at those you would think just junky cheap plastic. I found at the antique place some old Jewell Tea dishes and such, my stepmom had plenty and they were selling for prices unbelievable to me being as I knew cheap years ago. I did find out that probably would have sold necklaces and bracelets for less than the dealer told me to sell for.
I thought they were expensive too
x
San Diego got way too expensive
Rent was about a grand a month eight years ago when I was 36 and had my precious baby I left there when he was eight months old. I stayed with my two of my best friends (gay couple) in Atlanta for over a year in their mansion-like home. I then came back here to MI, where it surely is cheap to live and he and I could be near my family. I bought a house last year for $13,000 (that's not a typo) and the cost of living is very reasonable here.
No, 27 is certainly not old and you're not having a mid-life crisis -- just wild oats. I used to call it "world of hate" when I would be ready to leave a city: Sick of traffic, sick of the people at the grocery store, sick of my neighbors. Then, I would plot out a journey and move on. Now, though, with my sweet child of school age, we can only wander off and travel in the summer months. So, do it while you can, girl!!
I know they are expensive. A pedicure alone
I wanted to get my grandma one but i just can't afford that!!!
Why are funerals so expensive?
After finding funeral home service for my grand mother. I think that funeral home is so expensive.
You agree with me?
Thanks! Bras are EXPENSIVE!! nm
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Very very expensive and demanding blessings, yes.
x
Children are an expensive responsibility.
It's not fair to bring people into this world who will clearly be at a disadvantage from the get-go. They have no choice in the matter, you do.
very expensive but value added to home...sm
Lumber Liquidators for the bamboo and we needed 1400 s.f. and then to pay 2 men to install that and the cork backing...it was V_E_R_Y expensive but added about $25-$30G value to the home I do believe (was done a few years ago); besides the fact it is absolutely gorgeous and not difficult to take care of...but it's shoes off!
I heard Requip is very expensive, do you know how much?
I have it day and night, sometimes in involves more than my legs, and it drives me crazy.
Eladil, though expensive, works for me.
s
How do you figure leasing is less expensive?
I've tried doing the math on that several times when we were going in to buy a car, but I never see it as being a saving. If I plan to keep a car for as long as it's useful and relatively trouble-free, leasing makes no sense. If I pay off a car in 3 years, or even 5 years, I could drive it for another 10 years and not have any car payments. But if I continuously lease new cars, I'll always have a car payment. The years w/o payments are money straight in the bank for me. I could see it being cheaper if you plan to buy a new car every couple of years, but I plan to drive my cars until they sputter, cough and die.
Incidentally, I just looked at a camry hybrid today. time to replace a puffing 12 year old car with 189,000 miles on it. I like it. Not sure the gas savings will outweigh that sticker price, tho. wow!
I personally think they are expensive and you would be better off going through Ebay...
NM
A feline is not that expensive and what I have heard is
the rodents, etc. leave even when they catch a smell of them. Have not seen 1 here but at my other house my older feline caught and killed 2, 1 big and 1 smaller. She was very proud of herself.
I hated to pay for expensive bras as well
but it really is worth it I promise you. I have a black and a nude bra from VS. I went in for an actucal fitting and these bras have been wonderful. I don't think I will ever wear anything else. I know that you don't have to go to VS to get a good bra, but I had a gift certificate, and while I don't think that is what DH was expecting my to buy, it was totally worth it. Right now I am in the second year of both bras, just wash in the sink and hang dry which definitely helps keep them in shape. I am 38D so I really need plenty of support. It is almost time for new bras, but since you can tighten the straps as well as around as you go, they have made all the difference in the world. Like I said, you can get good quality bras at major department stores without spending what you would spend at VS, but just check into it. I promise you it will be worth it.
what price range...I see they are very expensive
I need a great shampooer.
West coast is all expensive...
So you settled back at home, 13K! WOW I would never settle back in Cali... like you said it's way too expensive and the wages (at least what i make) definitely don't keep up with the cost of living. I have found in the South the living is sooooo much more affordable, but then I have to think of the pros and cons like the weather (never been in a hurricane, they kinda scare me)... but the people are absolutely wonderful! at least everyone I have encountered was so nice and polite, again nothing like the west coast. I just visited Atlanta when I was in NC two weeks ago and fell in LOVE with it. However, it's a bit big for me but I am curious to know more about it... just as an option. Do you mind if I email you directly? Thanks again for your insight!
Yes! Can you see 3 of them? And they are expensive, too. DH HATES it! haha nm
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Those places tend to be more expensive sm
Glad you found something that works for you, but that is not the case with everyone. QVC, Catherine's, etc, tend to be more expensive, which is okay for a special occasion outfit once in a great while, but I cannot afford to spend that kind of money on my everyday clothing. Also, if I can't try it on, I usually don't buy it. I have bought clothing from catalogs and feel for me that it is not worth the hassle. Things look one way on TV or in a picture that do not translate well on me. Even in a store, I have picked something up that I thought was really nice and hated it once I tried it on, as I am sure many women have. I am not defending wearing too-small clothes. I am only trying to come up with a reason for someone doing so. You wouldn't catch me dead out of the house in something too small.
Cant understand that. Cosmetics are EXPENSIVE!
I just can see paying like $9.50 for a lipstick, when that will buy a gallon of milk, some pasta, some veggies, & maybe a couple pieces of chicken.
(Surely there can't be THAT many Tammy Faye Bakers in this country!)
Yeah but Macy's is EXPENSIVE. NM
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I disagree, more expensive does not always equal better
quality. Especially when it comes to cosmetics.
Instead of buying expensive creams containing cucumber extract, just put a cucumber on your face! Works equally
and even better!
Was it rude for your friend to want expensive gift?
Probably not but just not intelligent for the ones who would feel obligated to get one. A gift is simply that. You buy what YOU want to buy, not what another person wants to receive. A gift is given from the heart, makes no difference about the cost of it. Only someone shallow would worry about whether their gift was good enough.
I have seen them offered in VERY expensive housing markets -
I saw ads for 40-year mortgages offered when were on vacation in Hawaii a few years ago. My friend who lives in San Fran got one. The prices for houses in these markets is through the roof and it is the only way most people can afford anything at all. They are not offered any place I have seen where I live, which is AL. I agree with the poster below about maybe taking a loss on it with being in it for such a short period of time and wondering what the market might do and not having much equity in it when you go to sell. Remember to add in your closing costs because those are not cheap! I would just start calling around to banks. Most will be very eager to help you out. They love mortgages of any kind! :-)
The school-sponsored "jewelers" are too expensive.
Go to some place like Wal-mart for a decent ring for MUCH less money.
I'm glad my sons weren't interested in class rings. That saved me tons of money! And kids don't wear high school rings for very long after they graduate. I see more college rings on adult hands than high school rings. My youngest son decided he'd rather have an ring signifying he's an Eagle Scout, and we'll probably get that for him to present at his ceremony.
As for me, I remember how shocking the price was for my high school ring. Way back in 19mumblemumble I paid $65 for a Josten's ring! ROFL! Either I'm REALLY old, or inflation is just unbelievable!
Expensive, but love smell of my little grandson.
nm
Wore very expensive clothes. No one said a word.
x
that. Biological has to be in the description. Wildly expensive, but works even
s
16 yo gifts
some ideas: A set of weights and a jumprope for working out,a gift card for tunes for his ipod, the complete set of all Rocky movies. My 15 yo is an athlete too and works out constantly. He loves our weight set more than anything.
I appreciate all my gifts. sm
I wear what I don't like. I set out for all to see what I don't like as well. I use everything whether I like it or not. I never put anything in the closet that I get. I never take anything back. I only exchange what doesn't fit for what does. I believe that if someone is nice enough to take the time to get me something, then I should take the time to wear/display it. JMHO.
If it says no gifts
then I don't take a gift. If you want to give her something privately at another time, you could probably do that.
no gifts
Will this be a high-end catered party or could you help the hostess with all the running around to different stores picking up ingredients, cake, decorations or prepping in the kitchen? I would honor the no gifts request. Cat
No gifts
How about a donation to her favorite charity in her name? You wouldn't be giving a gift per se publicly but she would probably appreciate the gesture.
re: no gifts
AWWWW get a gag gift then! Thats what we've done for friends of ours. A friend of ours was turning a bit gray when he was turning 40 and so we all showed up with white hair spray paint in our hair to tease him. He laughed and said we were all cruel! LOL funny thing is now mine is gray!!! lololol
gifts..sm
How many in your office? Are you the PR person in the ofc with the budget from petty cash and going out to buy all the gifts? If that is the case, I would suggest getting everyone Kooshballs in different colors. Who can't resist a new toy on their desk? Just don't peg anyone in the eye when you have your Kooshball fight!  Cat
Gifts...
Package of mini-Sharpies, they come in different colors; gel pens; Post-It note cubes, there are some cute snowmen, Santa ones; gift card from video store; ornaments.
No more gifts!
Sick of all of it, going to spend my money where it's needed, no more "stuff". Plenty of others out there who really need it. Been there!
gifts
There are complicated metal puzzles that are not expensive, but are very entertaining for adults and teens. I have also found extravagant adult coloring books. I think that times are changing and in the future there will be less emphasis on gifts, but for now strange and unexpected can be just as good as expensive.
http://www.mindwareonline.com/MWESTORE/Home/HomePage.aspx?&SG=PMDG1
Did everyone like their Christmas gifts or are there any you don't like? sm
I like all of mine except for the one my stepdaughter insisted that she get for me. It's an Italian charm bracelet and while it has a bunch of cute charms on it, it's not really my style of thing to wear. She ended up spending almost $4 00 on this thing because a lot of the charms were custom made or special order items, all bought on eBay, so I'm stuck with this piece of jewelry. My husband tried telling her that I wouldn't care for this type of thing but she thought I'd really like it and talked him into not receiving a gift from her so she could get this for me. Maybe it'll grow on me over time.
The other gifts, including those of jewelry from my husband, are things I like and will enjoy using around the house or having.
What I did - Christmas gifts
The year after I got a vacuum cleaner for Christmas -- I picked up several things that I wanted -- clothes, jewelry, perfume and wrapped them and put them to him and when he unwrapped them I told him his present was to see me in these things, or smell the perfume, etc. I also got him a few things for the house, ie. towels and low and behold that was the last time that I did not receive something personal for Christmas. They really do not understand and unless we communicate to them and accept the treatment it will continue.
Yes, you need 2 separate gifts - sm
I have not been to one of these in so long I do not remember. I generally went with something more personal with a bridal shower gift but we are talking about best friends, and then something for the 2 of them with a wedding gift. You can always give money for both though. Surprised though they are doing a shower, they should have everything they both need by this time in their life. Maybe some nice kitchen towels or knives or something of that nature if you do not want to go personal; for the wedding gift maybe a gift certificate to a local restuarant (something useful you know they will use). If you do not attend though, you do not have to send a gift though a card would be the nice thing to do.
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