mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
|
Post by mizbear on Dec 14, 2011 11:39:06 GMT -5
I unsubscribed to pretty much everybody on my friends list because it was too much to keep up with. Plus a lot of them are just there so I can keep track for reunions.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Dec 14, 2011 15:01:22 GMT -5
red- yup that's me. It's an old pic of DS (if you can tell by seeing his new one in the Christmas cards). I'd tag on of the old one's from prom that i posted as my profile pic but then no one would recognize me
|
|
MittenKitten
Well-Known Member
Home of the Circus
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:12:58 GMT -5
Posts: 1,070
|
Post by MittenKitten on Dec 14, 2011 16:24:14 GMT -5
My Xmas cards will be late in getting out all BUT they will come. I promise.
This has been a really BUSY year! Floors in the den look beautiful and the flooring for the rest of the house we want done has been approved so we will have that done by the end of the first week in Jan! YIPPEE. Would like to paint the den but I don't think that is going to happen right now.
|
|
3catslady
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 22:29:16 GMT -5
Posts: 1,122
|
Post by 3catslady on Dec 14, 2011 16:55:31 GMT -5
I am finishing my Christmas cards today and will send them out tomorrow in the mail. As for the Secret Santa gift, I am stuck with what else to get my person. I think I had this person before but not sure. So I may get this person the same thing. I hope that the person doesn't mind. update; 14 NSD, 14 NEO. I have been using my gift cards and only spending money on gas but I have not bought gas since the beginning of the month or the end of last month.
|
|
mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
|
Post by mizbear on Dec 14, 2011 23:53:10 GMT -5
Things are starting to get into full swing here for the move. My Uncle is going to give my DB an ultimatum on Saturday. He is the only one not doing what he needs to do and dumping on everyone else.
DM is ready to move as soon as we get her stuff together. She's not comfortable in the house by herself (I don't think she has lived alone as an adult for more than 3 months if that). My brother is a deadbeat and it is causing more stress. They have also found a new nodule or tumor in her chest. She doesn't need my DBs bull.
We have just less than 6 weeks to finish getting everything cleaned up and out and get the appraiser in.
I hope to have moved in- at least mostly- before Christmas so maybe she will in a better state when TBear and ZBear come to stay.
I lost count of my NS/CS/S- but I can tell you my to do list is looking good and my apartment looks like a tornado struck.
|
|
mrslynch
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 10:58:15 GMT -5
Posts: 176
|
Post by mrslynch on Dec 15, 2011 11:05:49 GMT -5
shanen--yes, get on twitter. i'm not as active on it as i should be but it does help and will help, especially when you apply for membership and you need to list 10 members and challengers with whom you have relationships. also, we can talk more.
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 15, 2011 11:12:44 GMT -5
Well, yesterday was a no-spend. So that's maybe five this month?
Some of our friends want to do a hotel party for New Year's Eve. I usually host but decided not to this year since we just did Halloween and I'm honestly just run down from such a busy year. The total would be nearly $300 for the open bar for the evening and the hotel room for the two of us. And blue hates getting dressed up. I'm thinking we'll either stay home in our pjs, or go to his family's party at his parents' house like we used to before I convinced him NYE was for friends (we go on new year's day to the other family party his side does.... they do like to get together). So we'll see. I offered to throw a pj party but it'd just be limited to our very close friends and not the big shindig we normally do, so maybe people will want to do that. I just don't have the energy, or the money, for a big NYE out. I might regret it in future years when we have kids and all we want to do is get out and be with adults, but right now, I'm tired. lol. Plus 2012 is going to be quite pricey with the 9 weddings we're invited to. And the showers and bachelorette parties that go with it.
|
|
startsmart
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 12:45:52 GMT -5
Posts: 4,445
|
Post by startsmart on Dec 15, 2011 12:33:27 GMT -5
Twitter - I use it for my business but have found ways to schedule and systematize the posts I need to do daily so it doesn't take up a lot of time. Then I pop in a few times a week to connect with people I know.
It's really helped though, I got the mixergy interview because of a connection and recently my coach gave me a free website review which was super helpful.
Today- hopefully a CS all the way. I took myself out for breakfast since I was up really early for a client call at 7am that got canceled. And I had a really intense, exhausting, thought provoking conversation with a friend last night that's making me rethink the last, oh, six years. So I wanted a little break.
Tomorrow I am presenting proposals to two more businesses, hoping that both will sign up in December to start in January (shifting expenses to 2011 for income generated in 2012) which would really help my budget. One of the businesses might end up doing a partial trade which is fine with me, I'll still end up earning a few hundred/month for an hour a week time investment. Really excited to be presenting these two proposals!
|
|
shanendoah
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:44:48 GMT -5
Posts: 10,096
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0c3563
|
Post by shanendoah on Dec 15, 2011 13:34:03 GMT -5
No way in the world I'm going to meet my goal for NSDs this month. It's mostly been little things here and there- gas on Monday, paying out the monthly prize for my micro-fiction contest on Tuesday, cheap chinese for dinner last night, etc. But I still have Christmas gifts for DOM and DOD/DOSM to buy, as well as the secret santa gift. I know what I want to do, but haven't gone and done it. I also need to get the Christmas cards out, and do the MIL's Christmas shopping (all easily done online). DH's gifts are in the trunk of my car. I need to figure out a way to get them in the house without him noticing the giant Amazon box. We also need to get the MIL a new phone since she sent hers to the laundry. It's actually kind of nice- she can't call me 10x a day right now, so I'm rather enjoying it. As mrsl mentioned, I'm considering getting on twitter for my bogs. Right now, I'm not certain I'll make the Yakezie challenge goal of being at under a 200k Alexa ranking byt my 6 month anniversary in late January. Short of forcing all my family and friends to download the Alexa toolbar and visit my sites every day (which I don't think really counts when it comes to growing my blog), I need to find other ways to connect with readers, hence the consideration of twitter. Problem is, I'd like to grow all my blogs, not just the personal finance one, so pondering how much time and energy to put into this for overall best results. I'm not looking to replace my day job with blogging, since I'm the primary breadwinner for our family, but I certainly wouldn't mind some extra income for stuff I do anyway. That also means growing the readership. And I blame you ladies for this, just so you know- for helping me maintain my interest in finances, growing it enough that I want to write about it and share, and maybe, just maybe, help others through my experiences. That is all definitely the fault of this group.
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 15, 2011 14:04:55 GMT -5
shanen - very exciting stuff! twitter can be very time consuming, and it sounds like you might need multiple accounts for your various themed blogs. Good luck!
|
|
MittenKitten
Well-Known Member
Home of the Circus
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:12:58 GMT -5
Posts: 1,070
|
Post by MittenKitten on Dec 15, 2011 15:55:11 GMT -5
Oy Vey. Just figured out the $65 in charges on my credit card were from my 8 YO son. I can't believe how EASY it was for him to put my credit card number in on his DSi and purchase games. They asked for NO parental code or anything. All he had to do was take (steal) my credit card number and enter it in.
He is in trouble obviously. had a talk about stealing and how that is what he did and it being wrong. Currently his DSi is in my possession and not sure when he will get it back. Also lost all screen privledges through the weekend, gets to pay me back and we will see what else happens. I did send his friend away today.
Not telling anyone other then DF as my mom will immediately have to tell my sister and I just don't want them involved. Oh the joys of parenting. Now we will have two not allowed to have any screen time this weekend. They can clean their room!
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 10:35:52 GMT -5
Happy Friday!! Yesterday was another NS, so we'll call that 6 this month so far.
Blue finally got paid today. He usually gets paid on the 28th, but because of the holiday they paid for all of December today. Was supposed to be yesterday and I'd set payments in motion and kind of freaked, but all is well. After this he'll be paid on the 15th and 28th, just like me. It'll make things easier in some ways as the money will be more spaced out, but I'd just gotten our bills on the same cycle to be paid at the end of the month. Not really a big deal, just have to NOT spend the money before I get the bills.
mitten - hope DS learns his lesson!!
|
|
shanendoah
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:44:48 GMT -5
Posts: 10,096
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0c3563
|
Post by shanendoah on Dec 16, 2011 10:55:54 GMT -5
MK: I was kind of thinking that when you first mentioned it. Be glad it was only $65. There was a case earlier this year about a little girl that had spent over $1k on a Smurf game. She was like 4, so had no real idea she was spending her mom's money.
Secret Santa gift purchased and will be sent directly to my person. Sadly, they didn't give me an option for a gift receipt, so when someone gets a package from the Greater Good Network, they should throw away the invoice without looking at it. Holiday cards should go out this afternoon. I also bought Christmas gifts for my parents yesterday- neither of them need anything, so I made donations to charities I know they support in their names Pets 2 Vets for my father and Petfinder.com for my mom. I'll do the same thing for my brother, though in a smaller amount.
|
|
MittenKitten
Well-Known Member
Home of the Circus
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 19:12:58 GMT -5
Posts: 1,070
|
Post by MittenKitten on Dec 16, 2011 11:04:55 GMT -5
shanen: I asked him when the charges occurred and put a block on that company charging on the card. I was lucky in that I caught it within a day or two of the activity so he couldn't do more. He denied any knowledge when I asked. When I asked Nintendo what was purchased they didn't tell me until yesterday, only that points were purchased to purchase games. The report I received had the seriel number on it and I matched it to DS#1's DSi.
I still think it incredibly stupid to have devices that kids primarily use have the ability to easily go online and buy things. Since it does have parental controls it should have the parent put a password in before they can go online to shop. Not exonerating DS#1 but I would rather he did it now and learned it was wrong and the consequences. Honestly the kid is so much on the straight and narrow it can be refreshing when he acts like a kid.
|
|
azmom
Established Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 12:31:41 GMT -5
Posts: 256
|
Post by azmom on Dec 16, 2011 11:17:17 GMT -5
HELLO: I know I am not technically participating right now but I just need to vent real quick so please feel free to skip: DH's Sales Manager died suddenly of a heart attack on 12/4. DH took it really hard because he was like a father figure to him. Aside from that, that left DH's work in a NEED of filling that position. DH had planned on wanting to take that position after Jim retired but his hand was forced now. DH is the finance manager. Anyhow, DH's only reason for not wanting the job was his confidence in his ability NOW. Long story short DH's boss offered him the job and he took it. I am very very proud of DH and know he will do great BUT here is the selfish part of me: His hours are going to be long and hard and that just sucks. He loses a great deal of perks but has a better shot at financial gain. His responsibility just increased like 200% He hasn't been home before 7p all week. I really really need to shake out of it and deal with it. It is a whole other life change for us and I know in the long run it is a step in the right direction for our family. For the record I encouraged DH to step up and take the position because I know it was his hearts desire. I knew that he wouldn't if I wasn't on board for what it meant for our home life and well that would just be selfish of me. Anyhow, that is my two year old temper tantrum. I know, I know there are greater things in the world to be crying about. My husband has a job, a jump in pay and for that I am grateful. It's just going to suck feeling like a single parent six days a week!
Dakota: I was reading the weight loss thread and I just want to say I am so SUPER PROUD of you. You are inspiring. Keep up the great work.
MK: My four year old purchased a couple of games on my DH's phone while playing angry birds. A pop up came on and she just pushed a button and bang FEE's. Our kids don't own any personal electronic devises but if they did I could see us dealing with the same issue.
Okay, thanks for letting me barge in. I'm off to see my baby girl play the violin at the mall. Goodness, this is the first time I have been to the mall in FOREVER (excluding my in and out trip to pierce DD ears)
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 11:19:49 GMT -5
azmom - congrats to DH on the new job, but that stinks a) about the circumstances of how it became available and b) that it will require such an adjustment. Hugs.
|
|
dakota4600
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 10:22:48 GMT -5
Posts: 831
|
Post by dakota4600 on Dec 16, 2011 12:43:50 GMT -5
Sorry I've been MIA this month, my laptop at home is at the repair shop, so I'm trying to untether a little. No idea where I am on the spends.
MK- It is easy to buy things on-line, though my phone requires my password even for free downloads, maybe there is a setting that can be tweaked?
AZ- Congrats to DH. You will adjust as you amaze me with how resilient you are. Thanks for the kudo on the weight loss.
I'm still hoping to hit 25 pounds by Christmas, but was up 2 this AM, we ate out at my favorite Japanese steakhouse and the salt content I'm sure was through the roof. I only ate half of my dinner and took the rest home. Of course with mini-D clinging to me and sobbing most of the time, I wasn't really able to eat. The fire totally freaked him out and it was at another table. I was in the lobby trying to calm him when they did the fire at our table. He just kept saying "I want to go home" and kept burying his face in my chest. Not the most stress free dinner.
Tonight is date night I got free tickets to Candlelight, Carols and Cathedral. It is a 50 voice accapella (SP?) group doing classic Christmas music. My parents are taking mini-D so we'll have a nice quiet evening together before the real craziness sets in.
|
|
shanendoah
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:44:48 GMT -5
Posts: 10,096
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0c3563
|
Post by shanendoah on Dec 16, 2011 13:49:30 GMT -5
Hey MK? On the Christmas card list, could you shorten my name just to the actual first and last names? I don't go by the whole silly thing. ;D I know it's on my email, but that's for family purposes.
|
|
mizbear
Senior Member
Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:12:46 GMT -5
Posts: 3,958
|
Post by mizbear on Dec 16, 2011 14:08:44 GMT -5
MK- HUGS
AzMom- You are not barging in. And you need to vent. I agree it sucks how he got his position and the current situation- but you said yourself- this was the goal. Think about the bottom line. And once he gets the hang of things- he probably won't have to put on so many hours all the time.
TBear and ZBear are coming overnight tonight. Tacos for dinner. DM is spending XMas night here even if we don't have her moved in b/c TBear and ZBear will be here. ZBear requested it. I am busy busy and still sick. No fun for this Bear.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Dec 16, 2011 15:34:08 GMT -5
shanen- thank goodness you said something- I shortened you and was worried I offended you by leaving off part of your name Had to jet out of work 5 minutes after I got here today. Not amused. The mom that was supposed to chaperon and help judge the knowledge bowl meet today flaked so the coach called me in a panic. Fortunately it was only 5 minutes away and not an hour away! Then the original mom shows up an hour later bored and offers to help. Gee thanks- but of course since I had already sat through the discussion about the test questions and answers I couldn't switch out with her. Then there was drama at the scoring level (one team cheated and walked up to look at the atlas on the wall during the written round). So it went 90 minutes longer than scheduled. Exhausting! But good news is- DS' team made it through to Regionals!!!! he is super excited. Two of the three teams from his school moved on. Worth it but still not exactly how I wanted to spend my day. Oh well.
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 15:36:10 GMT -5
yay for DS!! That's great. That sucks you had to go down there unexpectedly.
|
|
shanendoah
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:44:48 GMT -5
Posts: 10,096
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0c3563
|
Post by shanendoah on Dec 16, 2011 15:45:19 GMT -5
sheila: oh goodness no. some of the things I have answered to, leaving out a couple of the 4 names in my email sig is nothing. In fact, I notice it more if they are all there. I leave my middle name in the sig because that's what I go by on message boards, so if people get an email from me, they know who it is they're talking to. My maiden name stays in because my father's family is very traditional- such that a woman's maiden name becomes her middle name once she's married. I actively edit it down if I'm sending a resume or something like that, but most of the time I just forget the silly thing is there, until I see it on something like MK's list- and then I feel a little pretentious with my 4 names.
Also, yay for DS and his team. I did Academic Olympics in highschool (jrs and srs only) and loved it.
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 15:57:49 GMT -5
shanen - I totally get it. I legally have four names, but I'm thinking of axing my original middle name altogether. I definitely try to keep my maiden name in there as much as I can, cause I was highly resistant to changing my name. I still don't use my married name unless it's to do with his family or is official (medical, taxes), and I put it on FB cause he'd complain otherwise. the front desk at work was confused when blue sent flowers to my married name. My first name is pretty unique (I'm the only one here for sure) but she still wasn't sure it was me. And staff at doctor's offices look at me funny when I stand up in response to my married name, because I look not a whit Latina. Which makes it even more fun cause blue is Italian... names are complicated. lol.
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 15:58:14 GMT -5
I was an Academic Decathalon nerd in high school, myself. And quiz bowl.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Dec 16, 2011 16:29:37 GMT -5
YEAH!! Red- I was an AD nerd too I posted pics on FB of us with our coach. When we got back from Nationals our school had a pep rally of sorts for us to congratulate us. Good times good times. DS did quiz bowl in 6th and KB in 7th and 8th and will try out for KB next year. Our school switched to KB and doesn't do AD anymore in High School
|
|
ses
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:18:37 GMT -5
Posts: 654
|
Post by ses on Dec 16, 2011 17:56:05 GMT -5
I'm back--I think. I have been dealing with this *&^(& flu for almost two weeks now! Today I did do some deep cleaning. Even stripped the bed and got the steamer out and steamed the mattress before steam cleaning the bathroom and kitchen. There better be no germs or viruses left alive in this house. I still feel as weak as a kitten. Actually weaker, Calleigh the kitten, bested me a few times during the past week or so. She demolished more rolls of bathroom tissue than I did this past week. If inquiring minds want to know, it takes four rolls of finely shredded tissue, with small pieces and no two layers daring to stick together, to fill one tall kitchen trash bag, and I haven't the strength to check how much more she has stashed under my bed. I had some minor surgery on my foot yesterday and that is slowing me as well as the lethargy from the flu. Thankfully, I did not have plans to travel this year. There has been no Christmas decorating or baking in this house this year. Well, I have a week to do some damage.
I do want to give my Secret Santa a big thank you. Onyx found the envelope before I did and had started chewing her way through to the adhesive on the envelope. She has lately become addicted to the sticky glue on envelopes. She is still batting around one of the toys. Calleigh is still napping and hasn't joined the party yet. I am surprised I didn't wake her up with my hooting and hollering. "I roll de flo wit laffin!" And I haven't even listened to the CD yet. I can't wait. Perfect way to get my spirits lifted, thanks bunches.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week full of festivity.
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 19:46:31 GMT -5
SES - feel better!!! Sounds awful!! We still havent put our lights out yet, but hope to tomorrow. Better late than never, right?
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 19:48:22 GMT -5
sheila - I'm sure most of the school didn't know we existed until they saw us in the yearbook. Our team wasn't terribly strong, but I'm very proud of my medals. Wherever they ended up... I got three each year I did it. Somehow got silver in economics twice, probably because I was the only person who actually studied it for more than five minutes. lol.
|
|
sheilaincali
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 17:55:24 GMT -5
Posts: 4,131
|
Post by sheilaincali on Dec 16, 2011 20:03:39 GMT -5
Our team was pretty intense. We tested and were selected for the team by like the 2nd week of school. Started practices every day after school from 3 until 6 by the end of September. Regionals were in Feb, State in March and Nationals in April. Our coach had a team go to Nationals (one from each state went) like 10 out of 11 years until he retired. I have my medals in a box in my office Yup- proud to be a card carrying dork right here!
|
|
redwagon
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 14:16:11 GMT -5
Posts: 2,642
|
Post by redwagon on Dec 16, 2011 20:14:42 GMT -5
wow that's intense. I think I was recruited... what did you practice? they gave us the materials and worked with us on speeches but we didn't really meet too often. we just took tests when we went to compete. or did interview/speech (one of my gold's was in speech woohoo). I remember the competition was in November. Must have been a regional one. our lack of preparation is probably why we didn't advance, but I think we came in the top 3. nearly everyone medaled in something. no idea where they are now... at my parents' house somewhere. But still one of my proudest moments, that speech. It was about how teaching shouldn't be a backup plan and only people passionate about education should go into it. I was annoyed by the cavalier way a few new teachers treated it, as their plan a didn't work out. And my guidance counselor told me I was too smart to be a teacher and shouldn't waste my intellect on it, that I should go be a scientist. pissed me off so bad. Loved it when the school paper printed the speech and even though I'd changed it to "someone told me xyz" my guidance counselor yelled at me saying she never said that. I asked her "then how did you know I was talking about you?" lol. Another proud moment...
|
|