Garage sales, consignment stores, coupons
Posted By: I remember when on 2006-09-04
In Reply to: Been there - could not even afford a loaf of bread once sm - Poor
If your income for the prior year is below 24,000 in Calif., you are eligible for 20% discount on gas/elec. Also, if your income is less than 12,000/yr, you are eligible for food bank visits once a month which total about $120.00. It has been six years since I went down this road, so the figure may have changed.
After a divorce, major surgery and no job, I found myself penniless. I had yard sales daily. Went to swap meets and sold my things there. Also, took my finer clothes to a consignment shop. Used coupons to determine what I would be eating. Thank God, I had no children.
I think when you have kids, you really need a nest egg of some sort that is absolutely untouchable.
This sounds like a temporary situation if you price your home to sell.
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If you have an Entertainment book there are coupons in it.
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Check to see if there is a consignment shop...
in your area, especially if the children are small, as they outgrow everything so quickly. These are "gently used" clothing at way less than the original price, and are usually listed in the Yellow Pages.
As soon as I drive into my garage
before I ever get out of my vehicle, I am lowering the garage door. In my community houses have been broken into just the way you have stated, by leaving the door open. It matters not where you live but safety should be upmost in your mind. I never open the doors to anyone. My workroom is situated to where I could see anyone entering my property and my front door has glass to where I can see and talk through to people and not only that solicitation is not allowed in my neighborhood. I had a person to come to my door 1 day and asked them if they read the signs saying no solicitation. Guess not. You should be more careful as a mother and you should also teach your children not to just open the doors, no matter who they might think it is.
My pimpin' ride is out in the garage.
It's a 1968 Ford Mustang. I had a mechanic friend build me a racing motor and transmission so I can race it at the car shows. It's going to be way more cherry than my Mercury Cougar ever was. I picked up some chrome Cragar wheels for it. The paint was going to be blue, but blue Mustangs are so cliche. I picked out a really wild, feminine metallic color and ghost flames for it. It's going to be a girlie car with an attitude. 
Solicitor knocking on garage door
Yesterday afternoon, I had a solicitor walk into my garage. The garage door was open because my girls and I had just gotten home. Instead of parking out front and knocking on my front door (which is obvious), the man parked his car by our two cars, which were just outside the garage, and walked into the garage and knocked on that door. He knocked softly, and it was a kind of knock that you would think is from someone you're familiar with....the you...the one that goes something like dunt,dunta, dunt, dunt.......dunt, dunt (hope you understand that!). My 13yo opened the door thinking it was her older cousin (who maybe was locked out), but found this insurance salesman standing at the door. I should add that we live in a rural area, too, and we don't get a lot of solicitors or unwanted visitors. When she realized it was a stranger, she said something like, Oh! Just a minute...., and shut the door in his face and came and got me. I went to the door and asked him what he was doing in my garage and proceeded to tell him that I found it highly suspicious for him to knock on a garage door for his solicitation purposes. He was friendly, in spite of me being hostile, and said that he approached the door that appeared to be the most used. I feel like he was way out of line to walk into my garage. That would be like opening your front screen door and walking into your house just because you had the main door open. Kinda' the same, you know? What do you all think? He was selling cancer insurance and had handed me his business card right away. Needless to say, even if I were interested in cancer insurance, he didn't make this sale. My husband wasn't home. It was just my girls and I.
Have a remote garage door opener?
Could have scared the bajeebies out him by shutting it while he was in your garage. Only thing is, you'd be cleaning up bajeebies off your garage floor.
I have a dog that does a very good Tasmanian devil impression, spitting included, when people knock. The people can see her through the door and they usually leave a card or whatever they have and move out pretty quickly.
I have two artificial flame resistant trees in my garage. Too bad you're not closer!
DH has to have the real thing, which I don't care for.
i'm right there with you. i was in sales
for 15+ yrs and turned to MT so that i could get away from the mean world. 90% of people have the attitude that "start off evil and you'll get what you want faster and sometimes even more than you wanted just to get rid of them". i hardly ever hear please or thank you from someone. i'm teaching my 3 yo please/thank you/share/etc, etc, but then i cry to see how he's treated by his class mates. i feel like i'm setting him up to be stomped on just for being polite and doing what is right. I'm also in my mid 30's and went back to college last semester just so i could add some things to my resume since nowadays a b.s. alone isn't worth beans but i took my class over the internet through a local college. i couldn't afford this semester, but next semester i'll take another class online. if i had to sit next to these people 1/2 my age with the attitudes that most seem to have i would snap. I wish being nice was as contagious as being mean.  i know there are nice people out there-but boy are they getting harder and harder to find!!!
Oh, of course, I'm certain you have the sales...
numbers right at your fingertips. It appears you are the one how has been duped by believing the BOS is the ultimate authority. The majority of MTs know better, and the majority of healthcare providers have never HEARD of it. Many of us bought the book thinking it was actually useful, and newbies are told they MUST have it. Now, mind you, they are told this by the very people who are in bed with the AAMT.
Buy into it if you will (obviously you already have). That doesn't mean the rest of us need to do so.
ebay sales
Well, my accounts were always looked at..I had soaps, body facial products and line reducers (for face), lingerie, halloween products, kitchen products..movie videos, CDs, candles, shoes (Pay Less always has two for one or one for half price), books (you can get great used books for cheap and sell them for so much more..like a used Harry Potter..you can get a lot)..I just posted them and they were looked at..what matters is how you introduce your products..you post them and then tell about them..so you need to post good things about your products, you know, pump up your product..Yes, I truly think you can quit anything else and go ebay full time..I was thinking about that but going to the post office every day and packaging the products got to me..If I had had someone to help me, I think I could have done it..Like I posted previously, Im gonna do it again, when I move back to NY next year..There are so many surplus companies, manufacturers who will sell to you wholescale..Gosh, I had so much left off when I quit.LOL..I had purses, body jewelry, lingerie, kitchenware..you name it..I gave it all away to friends and used it for myself..Just surf for wholescale companies in the net..I loved selling on Ebay, plus you meet such nice people..I met people from England, Germany and all over the USA (through emails and phone calls)..It was a great experience..What I recommend is surf for wholesale companies and when you shop, buy two for one, go to Factory for U, Big Lots, Annas Linens, always when you shop be looking for something you can sell..Buy one get one for free always was great for me..
have a friend who does car sales
She said some banks won't finance KIAs because of that. Way too easy to stay upside down in your financing.
You also may have to charge sales tax sm
depending on what state you live in. PA requires an MT to charge sales tax on work that is sent to someplace within the Commonwealth. I am exempt because my work is received from/sent to out of the Commonwealth. However, to answer the business license question, I don't have to have on for PA.
It is all about marketing and sales. Looks like they have your $$
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Sales slip?
If you still have the sales slip, you have a good chance of returning it.
Sales Letter
Well,you could make a cute flyer with your picture in it and possibly your email and phone number. But you best bet is to dress up nice and go straight to the office manager with flyer in hand and say, "Help me get my foot in the door please?"
You are obviously young and eager with little experience. Any job at this point is your ace in the hole. So be direct and serious and leave the flyer with them. Most people just use business cards. If the local area proves fruitless, there are companies online that hire and you could get your experience that way also.
SALES PEOPLE LIE
Did you know that it is totally legal to lie? I mean, it may be immoral and NOT right, but it is totally legal. So, those who can profit by it, have everything to gain by lying to us and nothing to lose by being dishonest in this way. This seems like such a simple rule of life, but it is one that did not become crystal clear to me until I became a medical Transcriptionist (and also when I bought a house, but that is another long story). Sadly, it is my own fault for being so trusting and gullible.
Six years ago, I was incredibly naive and fell for the STUFF that was feed to me by the people selling the CS course. They offered me was seemed at the time to be hope. In reality, they took advantage of my state of neediness.
I graduated from CS almost 4 years ago. I work my butt off, sometimes as many as 3 jobs at a time, and my gross income last year was a pathetic $21,000!!! I have one adult child who takes care of himself.
So, I wish this woman, the one with the 5 children with one being a special needs child and her husband in Iraq, much luck, and I hope she has a great support system.
PA Sales Tax - HEADS UP PA MTs
Everyone has to know about this. I posted this on the tax board, too.
How desperate are the governors getting? PA sent out tax forms to everyone that bought cigarettes from a Native American reservation and they want their tax money. One woman in PA was hit up for over $4,800 and last week, they slapped a Sheriff's Sale sign on her property.
Now, my DH received a letter today. They want anyone in business who bought anything from out-of-state companies (office supplies, equipment, tools, etc.) that don't reciprocate taxes to PA, to pay up. This doesn't just apply to last year. This goes all the way back to 1981!!! Since when, since records do not have to be kept after a certain amount of years, how can they do this? DH doesn't have to worry about it that much. He usually always buys in PA.
I certainly do not have any receipts back to 1981 when I was an IC!
It's bad enough the governor is "threatening" to raise property taxes if he can't pass the higher income tax, but now this. I think our state government should stop the spending like he's always done. We're broke, yet he keeps handing out money.
Out-of-state sales tax question
I would have posted on the other thread, but it is gone already. My apologies.
Do any MTSOs charge sales tax to out-of-state clients? Long before transcription, I worked for a company that did not charge sales tax on product sold out of state but did charge sales tax for any services peformed on-site, even for out-of-state customers. They insisted if the service was performed in the state, they needed to charge sales tax. I have been subcontracting out of state and every time I called to get a sales tax license they would very nicely tell me to stuff it until I got an in-state customer. Now I have just gotten my first out-of-state account (direct client) and want to make absolutely sure I should not charge sales tax for my service.
Thank you.
Idea for sales letter
What do you all this of this? I just graduated, and I want to market to doctor's offices. I made a flyer to send. I thought I would also send a sales letter that is formatted like a SOAP. I don't know how much competition I will have, and I'm trying to stand out. Too silly? Any comments?
VR demo - not a sales pitch
You need to have the Windows Media Player loaded onto your system to view the video. It takes about 30 seconds to load and is about one minute in length.
I think after you watch it you'll understand why so many medical professionals (i.e. doctors) are switching over to speech recognition.
If you're an IC, you should be charging PA sales tax as well. sm
I know there are A LOT of PA MT's who are not doing this, making it more difficult for those on the up-and-up. However, if you are providing MT services to anyone other than a non-profit (with valid PA Sales Tax exemption), then you should be charging the 6% State Sales Tax and filing a Sales Tax Return.
The Use Tax issue that started this post has been in place for a long time, it's just that the Commonwealth has decided to become more aggressive in their pursuit of this lost revenue stream.
If you have a Paypal account, pay to sales@mtstars.com. Thank you!
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PA requires you to charge sales tax on your work...
if you send your completed work to a MT company or doctor within PA. However, I send my work out of state, so I don't have to charge sales tax and I don't need a license. I had asked someone at one of the companies I IC for and she said that she had heard of that before from one of the other girls. When I lived in WA state, I had a business license from the state and had to file every year. The sales tax thing was a real shock to hear at first!
hit some yard sales early in the morning
This belongs on classifed board, for sales
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Did you see the story about bake sales/childhood obesity?
From the AP out of Minneapolis. "Study links bake sales, weight problems."
Puhleez. What next?
When are the "Diet Police" going to stop and realize that the majority of the obesity "problem" among children begins at home? Who gives these kids the money to go eat at McDonalds and loads their cupboards with junk food anyway?
Sure my kids like sweets and they like McDonalds, but monitor and moderation goes a long way.
Something tells me that a pencil sale just isn't going to bring in that much cash flow.
I've never heard of sales tax being charged for a service, only
for a tangible product.
It is true...and the sales reps will tell you anything to obtain your business, but then they...sm
get you once you start using the ULD. I know, I have been told the same thing that you say you have been told but then I received the dreaded "cut off" notice. I wish you the best, but it is just a matter of time until they get to your area. It's not allowed! 
Try ebay, yard sales, Recycled Software or BuyCheapSoftware.com
to find inexpensive software. Also, see if you can find a newer version of MS Works because I think it comes with Word now, or you can buy a standalone version of Word without springing for MS Office.
For that matter, wait until you find a job before worrying about it. Not everybody uses MS Word, and some companies provide their own software for you to use. What about going back to Medware or another company that provides software and/or equipment?
I hate crowds. Big sales bring out the worst in people.
I tried it twice several years ago. Never again. People were just rudely shoving everyone else around trying to get from store to store to gather up all the freebies or super deals.
We tried to go to the movies instead, but all the Harry Potter matinees were sold out. Again.
Add me too!!! I appreciate it. About stores that
say "Merry Christmas" - I figure I don't need to do my CHRISTMAS shopping in those stores!
Stores
I think these stores pay minimum wage. Walmart is known to be a very bad employer so try the other one first.
thrift stores
When I first left my ex, I moved in with a coworker and her two sons. About twice a week, she would hit the thrift stores and antique stores. I started going with her. What a blast. I could not believe all the really good stuff you could buy for just a little bit of money. I usually check out thrift/resale stores about twice a month. One lady I used to work with at a local hospital, dressed so nice, so chic..She always looked so put together. One day at lunch she told us all of her clothes are bought at the local thrift store.
mom pop stores being squeezed
I agree 100%. If the little mom and pop stores were charging close to the prices of Wal-Mart, you bet I would shop there exclusively, however, I have to think about my family first and providing for them as I am the only one bringing in a measley Transcriptionist paycheck and I dont have enough hours in the day or enough energy to go back to school..So, I truly am sorry about the whole situation but isnt that what this administration and others have tried to brain wash us about..its all capitalism..so if a big company comes in and squeezes out the smaller ones, it is still capitalism? I dont agree with it but it is happening all over America and the little guy and working guy are being squeezed. I mean, it is even happening with us and outsourcing..This administration says outsourcing is a good thing yet it is taking middle class jobs. Oh, geez..truly sorry for the rant.
some of the dollar stores where everything
is a dollar carry them, that way you can afford as many as you want
If you PC stores any reports then...sm
you wouldn't be HIPAA compliant to allow them access to your PC for any reason. Tell them that you use your PC for work and cannot allow others to use it. Also think of it this way - what if they downloaded something that screwed up your system and you couldn't work for a while? Not worth the risk!
Are you talking about our stores
Piggly-Wiggly here in Georgia as well as Alabama? Yes, we do have those.
dead town-ban WM stores
A little over 20 years ago WM opened in our town even though they had a Howard's at that time and put them out of business. Our nice town also had a sporting goods store, fabric store, several pharmacies, several local clothing stores and pool supply place. The only one that survived were the pharmacies. WM moved out a little over a year ago. Now we have to go 30 miles to find anything that we can't find in a dollar store. Not only do we have a big empty building that they left, now we will have another empty building that a chain grocery store is leaving because WM built super stores in the surrounding towns that use to shop in our nice little town. I suspect it will take years, if ever, to recover. Our only hope is that we have good leadership in our community.
There are TONS of stores that I see every place I go.
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I agree, best out there in the grocery stores.
We have Publix - MAJOR stores all over....sm
Publix says tipping is not allowed. I do not agree with that. They are loading TONS of stuff into cars, why shouldn't they get a tip? I tip, their bosses are not outside watching anyway and I don't know that anyone ever lost a job with Publix (one of the largest employers in the SE) due to this
to each his/her own I suppose 
How and where did you get it for free? Online you have to pay for it, and in stores you have to pay
We've used it the past 3 years and it could not be processed and sent w/o paying. Now, we could go through the motions, answer all the questions, and get the final result without paying, but to actually electronically file and receive our refund, that is when it asks for payment. So how'd you get yours free?
check out the junk stores
like Salvation Army. I paid $40 for a few at Office Depot type store and then found a few for $1.99 at our alcoholism junk store. They are Dell and great, and when they wear out, don't feel bad about just trashing them.
saving money/thrift stores
I first hit our local thrift store when my dear mom was in a nursing facility with Alzheimer's. She'd just forget where she "folded and put her clothes away" or the laundry would lose some. So, I was able to buy mom many beautiful blouses/tops, dresses for way too cheap. Usually walked out of there with 5-6 complete outfits under $20.00.
She's gone now, but in her memory, I still do my shopping stints there, then haul it over to the nursing home for those residents who don't have family, it truly helps me more than it helps them.
Exactly! The newspapers all say that the grocery stores are open.
Why are people in expensive cars waiting in line for free stuff then? There are 2,800 people staying in shelters that NEED to be helped for truly being victims of the storm rather than for being "victims" of lack of planning or preparedness. Believe me, we're not without compassion. We do care. However, people 50 or 100 years ago didn't sit back on their laurels waiting for others to do for them.
Barnes and Noble or any other book stores where you
can sit and have a cup of coffee and look at the books. I am single too right now but not really looking but if I were, Barnes and Noble or the library. Also, I have found that when I am not looking at all, I meet somebody. Good look!!!
Walmart opened up 15 stores in CHINA....nm
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Rexall Drug Stores all had jukeboxes sm
at each table.
The ice cream truck came around and you got a cone for a nickel.
You could play flashlight tag at night without fear.
Drive-in movies were a blast.
Sunday afternoon movies were 75 cents to get in--mom and dad would send us there for the afternoon for a break (there were 5 of us).
The A&P store had green stamps. I still have the dinnerware set mom bought with them.
By the way, my '65 Mustang only costs me $2.00 a week to drive. I just don't take it out of town for fear of wrecking it.
Let's write to our local grocery stores
now and let them know we do not want to buy food from China, including produce. Please don't start taking apples from China. We trust apples from AMERICA and perhaps Australia and New Zealand, but China can keep their apples.
I guess Healthfood stores would carry these items.
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I LOVE shopping for clothes at resale stores
I find fashionable, barely worn, name brand clothes. It really is fun!! I couldn't imagine paying for new clothes anymore!
It's a little harder to find good kids' clothes at the second hand stores, but I have found some really nice ones that are real bargains.
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