We paid cash, spent about
Posted By: debtfreebaby on 2009-01-16
In Reply to: Did you go into debt over the holidays? - GabbyChick
$1000 total for grandkids and gifts for each other. We are debt free except our house. There is nothing like being able to sleep well at night and not be afraid to answer the phone should it ring. We have lived this way for many years, have learned to save money, pay cash for what we want. This has been to our benefit as we haven't had our CC companies drop our limits or increase our percentage rates at all; in fact, our limits keep rising even though we only use them once or twice a year. The thought of having to pay for something many months and years later is baffling to me.
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Thank you all so much. I spent about 6
hours last night researching this man and his family via Google and MySpace. I am horrified at what I found - its a troubled family for sure, but they look great on the outside - no what I mean? The house is perfect - the guy is OCD about working in the lawn, etc. Always the appropriate holiday decoration - yet underneath the exterior they are monsters. I found the teenage daughter's MySpace and read thru postings all over, on other friends' boards, etc., and this kid has threatened to do physical harm to many kids - she alludes to bombings, and her screen name has her name followed by Kills. She has lots of posts about bomb threats at her school and sounds bragging about it. Her town name she chose has comments on bombing. Wonder where the kids are getting it from? This is way sicker than I ever imagined. I am mounting my evidence, documenting all this stuff, and just praying that nothing happens to me or my family. I would love to move - just isn't a possibility right now. I am going to research the nursing tonight, but sure got side tracked on the MySpace stuff. The mother/wife even has her own sick site. Its unreal. And its unreal how easy it is to find people on that place. Oh well. Will keep you all posted.
I spent over $64.00 on
green queen sized olives yesterday, eat them like candy.
cash cab
Anyone out there enjoy The Cash Cab on the Discovery channel featuring Ben Bailey?....Just found this and I'm an avid armchair player...I'd probably freeze-up in the cab.
dsc.discovery.com/fansites/cashcab/quiz/quiz.html
cash cab
I caught that several months ago and liked it, but could never find when it came back on - when is it? thanks, I'll look forward to watching it, there's such junk on T.V.now I can't stand to watch!
I would not cash it out. If he wants it so -sm
bad let him cash out one of his, but you will have to pay penalties for early withdrawal as well as taxes on the money. Go get a car loan at one of those dinky used car lots, we have something called DriveTime here that says "everyone" gets approved. Plenty of people trying to sell cars and make a sale, just get a loan and keep your money in the bank. My husband insisted we get rid of my Suburban this April (of course then gas plummetted) though it still ran good at 230K miles, had some cosmetic issues inside and a few dinky problems but ran great (had no engine issues). His parents insisted on loaning us the money though we were just going to get a car loan. So we borrowed $14K, got a 2004 Trailblazer at Carmax with 42K miles, and had been paying them back at $650 or so a month when they "forgave" us the balance of the loan ($10K) as a Christmas gift (they gave my BIL $10K a few years ago for his house downpayment, guess they wanted to even things out). Granted not everyone's parents or in-laws can act as a bank, but if your's can you can always ask for a loan (and put it in writing if necessary--we did not as they knew it would not be an issue). My in-laws are very tight with their money so it was a complete surprise for us, and obviously greatly appreciated. We have had a lot of bad karma lately so I think they were just trying to be helpful, that and even things out between the brothers.
We used mostly cash
I think I may have used credit just once for something that was more expensive. We did try to spend less than usual this year.
I used cash.....nm
ss
cash only
We used cash only and spent a little more this year as we bought little gifts for everyone. Dh has a PT job making deliveries and he got tips at Christmas time that more than covered Christmas.
that is really sad - spent my honeymoon on
Padre Island - guess the beaches went the way of my marriage - down the tubes!
You should be able to cash the check at...
their bank as long as you have ID. They don't have to tell you if there is money there; if they can't cash it, you'll know. If not I'd go in tomorrow or Friday. Good luck
times for cash cab
6 pm and 6:30 pm EST and Cash Cab After Dark at 11 pm EST on Discovery Channel....Enjoy the game!
If there's ever a Cash Cab marathon...
I'm callin' in sick!!!
My daughter (21) and I play along and we complement each other's knowledge very well (baby boomer vs college-educated LOL) and we would SO be rich!! I think if we happened to get lucky enough to catch the Cash Cab, we'd say...Take us to Boston!!! haha!
... but I think Ben is a little scary ;-)
I was out before 8:30 and spent about an hour
shopping- I do not like to shop at all and mostly this morning bought things for me, like some flannel PJs and some sweaters at the outlet store. The crowd not bad at all- only 1 ahead of me in the checkout. I shop over the net quite a bit but had received flyer and things I wanted I got.
Some time spent with them would be
a gift only you could give.
Last month I spent $321 for 3 of us.
It's just DH, 18 year-old son, and I. We live in the Philadelphia area. We generally eat far less meat than most American families, but we aren't vegetarian. My son commutes to a nearby university and works there, as well. He provides his own lunches, and probably only eats breakfast at home half of the time.
Now, if you want to factor in what we pay for the meal plan for our son who lives away at college, well then... that's a whole other story! KA-CHING!
you can't go wrong with cash! nm
Money spent and nothing to show for it
I paid a little over $600.00 for a dinette suite the first of April. They had to order and I called time and time again and finally told the store in August I wanted my money back. No reply. I took out a small claims against the company and the guy did not even show (although he got the complaint because he called me at home and said "I had fallen thru the crack." Yeh- right ! Anyway, by this time had bought another set and asked for just the return. No response to the file and now have gotten a judgement just for his not showing up. I am given a list of several things to collect my money, i.e. file Fi. Fa. which places lien against losing party and any property they own, 2) file garnishment against his paycheck, 3) file garnishment on his bank acct, 4) levy against real and person property (this I would have to contact lawyer for) and lastly turn judgement over to attorney or collection agency for collection. Please, anyone have any ideas on what steps I should take? I would like to not have to spend a lot of money if possible. Thanks
Try to catch a ride on the Cash Cab.
e
I probably could have spent my time, money, everything
on me because I gave them so much and now it came down to money. One is a me type person and the other, if all they care about is the $$$ and would talk nasty to me, I can wipe my hands of anyone and I mean that, who does not respect me after all I did for them. Most of the posts you read here are mothers who have younger children and most are ok when babies, toddlers but the real life comes as they get up and supposedly have some sense. I did my job and thought I did a good job. Now time for me, me, me.
Don't use them myself, but my MIL uses her Discover for the cash back. nm
!
Try to catch a ride on the Cash Cab.
dfas
Well, for one thing, Cash Cab in a mini-van, not a car.
asdf
I have a MIL who was jealous of any time I spent - sm
with my family. It caused a lot of hurt feelings on her side, and just made me angry for the most part. You don't sound anything like my MIL though but it sounds like you did not push the issue and fight for the right to see your grandchildren. In my situation, I married 1 of 2 sons. The other has never married or had any children. We have the only grandchildren for my MIL. She was manic that we have kids though she was vastly disappointed when we had girls and has remarked on this several times in the past. It is true we trusted my mom over her in terms of childcare, etc. though my mom rarely watched the kids as she lived 4 hours away. I did visit my mom at least 4-6 x a year, but I would drop in and visit my MIL and my FIL almost every time as I literally drove right by their house on the way up to my parents. My DH rarely calls his parents, I usually call his mom once a week and chat for a while. She used to never call but lately has taken to calling every 2 weeks or so. We also used to see his parents at least once a month for at least 5 years (now it is every 6-8 weeks), day visits, while my parents only saw the kids 4-6 x a year, though I would stay anywhere from 2-5 nights when I visited. This where the jealously came into play. I was/am very close to my parents and my brothers, much like your DIL I suspect. But I was exceptionally close to my mom, when she died almost 3 years ago my world fell apart. But my MIL was always jealous of my relationship with my mom, it drove her nuts I think. My DH tried to explain to her how close were were but she just could not understand and it caused her (and me) many problems. I would catch such grief from his family when I told them I was going to see my parents/friends, it was as if they wished I did not have a family. Holidays were horrible though we did do an alternating schedule though she would argue with me about that. Things a lot different now as she now gets to be the only grandma, which I am sure she loves. My stepmother is actually better with the kids though and has a great time with them, though I will never be close to her either. My in-laws get just about all the holidays now since my mom is gone and my stepmom wants to be with her kids not her husbands, so I don't get so see my family much anymore, maybe 2 x a year. Much more complicated these days, though we still don't let them (my in-laws) have the kids as they lack in common sense bigtime when it comes to what is safe and smart for my kids. I am not saying that is the case with you as I don't know your particulars of course. But it sounds like you just gave up. I would not try buying your son's love as it sounds like you did try. I know my in-laws tried though we were up front with them with one money gift they gave us that enabled us to pay off our truck in 1 year instead of 4, that it would not buy them weekends with the kids, etc. We told them that if there were strings we did not want the money. Money does not buy love as the Beatles said, very true. I would write back your granddaughter and say you would like to have a new beginning with her and the past is over and done with , and if she ever does want to know the real story, tell her. As for your son, have you even called him and invited him to your new home, it does not sound like it. Sounds like you expect a lot and are upset because they don't do the same for you as they do for the daughter's parents. The daughter controls the kids for the most part (as do most women) so it is to be expected that her family gets their "favor" more. You need to step up and be assertive. My in-laws do do most of the visitings here (we have actually never invited them here, they just call us and say that they are coming down on such and such a day, kind of aggravating), we rarely go up there as my DH just hates going there and really does not like his parents due to a bad upbringing. They really did a number on him. Does your son have any anamosity towards you? Did something bad happen in the past? You are long overdue for a long talk with him though. But I work hard to keep the lines open with them as much as I don't like doing it, I do it. My kids love them and I would never deprive them of that. I hope you take the first step and write to your granddaughter again, and call you son. You have absolutely nothing to lose at this point. Good luck.
how I spent my Monday morning...sm
Just wanted to say how much I missed this community while I was away...take a look at the picture I've linked...that's my neighborhood during our mandatory evacuation from the Marek Fire in California... Didn't know if I should post this here or on the mental health or prayer request boards LOL! Grateful to have my home...and my home office...next time you dread Monday morning...keep this as a reminder to renew your perspective! javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
We, too used cash this year as we have for about the last 10 years . . .
glad, too, because the work load always crashes right after the holidays for a few weeks and at least I don't have that extra headache right now . . .
This is my way of making some cash on the side...sm
I can sew and I love making cute crafty things. So this is a purse I made. I put it on ebay. We'll see if it sells. Give me ya'lls opinion please.
I hope you have a receipt for the cash - sm
she may be nuts enough to take you to small claims court over the $300 saying you were quoted X dollars and did not pay her husband. Though he might have to be the one to actually bring the lawsuit since he did the work, though she might talk him into it. I also hope you had a written contract as well in place, always pays to cover your butt in these situations. She is obviously desperate for cash (is she not eligible for unemployement?) or having contractor remorse for hiring out her hubby and thinks he short-changed himself and that you took advantage. ----- When I first started reading this I thought it would be, oh I hired a friend's husband, he did a lousy job, we don't want to pay him....that sort of thing. Glad it was not that, seems like you we happy with the work, paid for it as agreed and that was it, then the wife/friend got involved. My DH is not one to haggle or overcharge for anything, gives away his help on big things, and it drives me nuts, so I normally handle that sort of stuff though it is rare for us. We do a lot of bartering on my road, you scratch my back, I will scratch yours sort of thing, from helping start cars to fixing TVs (my DH has saved our one neighbor mucho $ fixing their TV a couple of times). If we cannot repay the favor we either pay in cash or beer, though not so much in beer anymore as the one couple we do this the most, his wife wants cash though the husband is the one doing the work, so to not make waves we usually give him cash depending on what he did for us. He will do car work for me when I cannot get my DH to do it, I pay him for that. But little stuff like moving something we trade favors on. ----I hope she does not become a huge problem for you.
I would give $100 cash and leave it at that- sm
if you can afford a little more and think $100 is too cheap than do so--I certainly would not go over $300 though. If you don't want to do cash then give a gift card to a store you know they like. I think it is ridiculous for a kid (or parent) to expect a gift for graduation. I would just send a nice card. Kids (and some adults) are way too entitled these days and expect everything just given to them. If you do end up buying something engraved make sure is is something that will actually get used and not tossed out by the kid. They might use a keyring for that nice new car he/she has.
best cash-back credit card?
We've been using the GM card to get new cars for less, but i'm open to a different card that rewards general purchases, food, gas, apparel etc, with cash back. Any recommendations? thanks!
Just spent an entire week in FL with brother sm
and his whole family - wife - 3 kids. To make a long story short, my sister in law does not like me. I'm about 7 years younger than she is. She is very jealous of my close relationship with my bro. Always. This trip she made it very clear how much she does not like me at all. I cried a lot this trip. My feelings have been so badly hurt. I've never done anything to her personally - she just hates me. My brother was very standoffish this trip and I know why. He has a very jealous wife. They would just get up and leave and not tell us where they were going or invite us. They NEVER used to do things like that. The whole time, if ever I had a suggestion for dinner or entertainment she would shoot it down with, "I don't want to do that!" I'm talking everything I came up with. What's even sadder is that they have 2 girls - my nieces - 13 and 15 - who used to love and adore me - their aunt - and this trip they were so ugly to me. I haven't seen them in over a year. We stayed in a 2 BR condo on the beach. Pretty small unit. They got the master BR. While walking to my room one evening the 3 of them (sister in law and 2 girls) were just berating me in gossip - talking about what I wore to the beach, the way I styled my hair, just stup*d things. Just gossiping so bad about me. I wanted to cry.
After I heard that about mid-way through the trip, I completely shut down emotionally. I only spoke when spoken to, didn't suggest anything at all to do, and was cordial, but not overly friendly like I usually am. Today when we left, she walked right by me in the hall and didn't say a word. Got into the car and they drove off. I had already said by to the kids and my bro. I cried when hugging my bro. He had his sunglasses on - he probably wanted to cry to. We lost our dad growing up and our mom pretty much abandoned us. We've stuck together until he moved out of state and started his family. I did too. He gets along GREAT with my husband and my kids.
What compels women to act like this? I don't understand it. Why would you want to live in your own prison of hate and bring everyone around you down? I can't stop crying! My brother lives about 2,000 miles away. I want to be close to him and his wife and kids. She won't allow it.
I know I have to just accept this is life and the way it will be. I am having a pity party. Can I say this eloquently without you taking offense? I am hating women right now. No matter how kind and nice I am, I always get slapped in the face. Always. I am a very kind and nice person. My mom always said I had wishbone but no backbone. I guess I just expect others to be kind, too, and when they aren't, I get hurt and I don't understand it. 
Do any of you do online surveys for cash or prizes?
I've done a few surveys over the last few days, and was wondering if this kind of thing is really worth my time.
Perhaps if mother Spears spent more time
parenting and less time pimping her kids all over Hollywood, this might not have happened.
Save your money, other ways better spent
NM
spent NYE playing Rock Band for PS2
a lot of fun though discovered I'm never going to be a drummer (or a singer) :) So I guess I won't quit my day job.
My DH spent his check and we have no money for food this week. :(
the jerk
wrong...he spent 4 years in korean schools
Do you mean the actual hours of school. or also time spent
ol
Spent 2 hours with my kids playing that today - fun! nm
x
If father thought child support was not being spent
x
Getting there early and staying late, time spent on phoning
il
paid
Do you actually know how much he gets paid? Yes, great that he won 10 g's. My MIL is a teacher and she gets paid great. No underpaying there at all. It all depends where you work. Sometimes i question she is teaching our children the future?????
Paid for Doing their Job
My point was it's a good amount of pay for the hours put in. There are lots of jobs where the pay doesn't come any where close to what is deserved (sound familiar?), but that's not exclusive to the teaching profession.
If parents would be parents, teachers could be teachers. When my son was in high school I always attended the parent-teacher night. One of his teachers said something that rang so true. When I asked how my son was doing he replied, "He's doing great. Every parent I've met tonight has a son or daughter who is doing just great. Of the ones who are lost, struggling and failing, I have yet to meet one of their parents tonight." We talked for a bit and he told me regardless of the phone calls to home, the letters, the one-on-one time with a student in trouble, the parents never pitched in, never made an effort, and he was losing the battle with those that needed help.
I will never say say teachers have it easy. Teaching is a tough job. A social worker has a tough job. A roofer has a tough job. A nurse has a tough job. Where does it end? There are a multitude of underpaid professionals in our society. If you go into the teaching profession for the love of the job, so be it. You know, or should know, what the average salary is before you make the decision to get your degree. Eyes should be wide open.
Back to the beginning: hour for hour, day for day, if the time clock was punched, the salary and benefits a teacher earns is pretty darn good. Go after the parents for them to do THEIR job so the teacher can do what his/her salary reflects: TEACHING.
paid help
I am so blessed. My mom comes in once a week and does my bathrooms, kitchen/utility floors, vacuums, dusts. Has been doing this for years. I think if you can get someone for $15.00/hr. go for it. Mom only charges $10.00 an hour for her paying customers. Refuses to take money from me. Good luck!
I paid
the month thing so I can go on-line and that is helping me to keep with it and not get discouraged too. I figure it is a healthy way to eat and I paid so I may as well give it a month. I had foot surgery and have just been able to start walking with little to no pain now so that may help too. Thanks again!
I have paid $50.00 and tipped $10.00 sm
but I don't really get my haircut too often and when I do, I love to make it a day just for me at a nicer salon, so I don't mind spending the cash. I like to feel like a "rich *itch stay-at-home while hubby works nothing better to do but spend his money lady" just for ONE DAY. Between the house, kids, and typing, I find it hard to make time just for me! So, if I get the chance and need a day to myself, I tend to make a hair appointment and then maybe go shopping for a new purse (my other luv). I have too many as it is, but I love purses and shoes and always have! I would babysit all week as a teenager just to purchase an expensive purse! Wish I had all that money now, but... it sure was FUN! 
I always tip 10-15%, but I have never paid $65 just for a haircut...
nm
For those of you who have paid help with the house ..
What I am wanting from someone is an hour each morning (M-F) to do:
1) Make 2 beds (changing sheets 2 times a week)
2) Vacuum 1000 sqft (with about 300 of it not carpet - sweep)
3) Unload dishes from dishwasher/load any dirty ones
4) Swish the toilet down and wipe down the bathroom sink/mirror
5) Drop any trash at the trash bin as they leave
My questions:
1) Do you think this is reasonable to be done in an hour?
2) I am thinking of offering $15 an hour...Too much? Too little?
Thanks
well of course they have paid for it in other ways.
for the poor. That's a just society. I would gladly pay $6 a gallon for gas if my health care were free and my children were going to college for free. That would be a bargain!
Paid bills
Paid bills and planned with DH about how we can make more money so we can do more than just "pay bills". Watched a scary movie tonight. Tomorrow it will be work and some household chores. Gosh what an exciting life! I'd like to do a little more with my life than just "exist".
Maybe someone else paid the bill for you.
no msg
I have economized and it has paid off sm
I live in a mobile home I bought excessively used. It is fully paid for. My car is 1996 and while it has 123K for mileage, it is still running just fine and I am told will go to 200K. It is paid for. I own a lovely piano, paid for. Clothing I either make or buy on the sale tables from Walmart. I especially like that most of my tops only cost me $3 or $5. I take good care of my clothing and much of it I have had for several years. Since I have chosen carefully I like what I have. Same for shoes. Same for what little costume jewelry I have. Same for my budget bedding. I buy household stuff second hand because I like certain tacky nick nacks from the 1950s. I even shop for the lowest prices at second hand shops.
Now, I have not had a vacation in 13 years, it is true. I am just now getting used to having to take 2 full days off every week and managing those 2 days without sitting down to work is hard. I do, however, have a lovely home and no debt.
I only work one job and I do pretty well ($40K a year). I am able to have enough taxes withheld not to worry about it. I have insurance too. After that, I can pay my bills and I manage to put back about $500 to $700 a month, depending on my line counts. I have no idea what I am saving for right now, but it feels good to watch the numbers climb. I literally put every fourth paycheck in the savings account. I DO eat what I want when I want. I have also stock piled canned foods because of food prices. I buy lost leaders at the grocery store for the most part. If it has a store special tag on it, I am going to choose it over something else.
I am at a point where I don't use the car, but about twice a month to go the bank, which is not close enough to walk to. There is no place close I'd go out to eat even if I were inclined, which I am not. I am an avid sale and clearance shopper, and while I am not longer at the point in my life where this is a necessity, it is so ingrained (did I spell that right?) that I can't stop. Some people may get off on buying an expensive item, but I get my thrills out of seeing how little I can spend to get what I want. Example is a flat pack entertainment center I wanted. Original price was $120 and I got it for $32. Nothing wrong with it and it was easy to put together, just clearing out for new styles. I had wanted one for a year before I bought this one, but found that price and jumped on it with great joy.
Since I know perfectly well that working harder and longer is not really an option, I chose to cut my spending and now I am really happy.
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