dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Aug 22, 2011 12:31:33 GMT -5
Reenee- Do you clench your teeth? I thought I had an ear infection back in April and it was actually because I was clenching my teeth so much from stress. I saw a chiro a few times and he got it back to feeling normal. Now if I feel like I'm starting to clench I either chew some gum or put in my day guard. I also have a night guard.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Aug 22, 2011 12:38:09 GMT -5
Shan – I thought about the hot compress last night, but when it was still around 80 degrees at 9pm, I really didn't want to go there. It's cooler today, so I may try it. I clean my ears after each shower, I have a “thing” about getting wax built up in my ears. Dakota – I don't think I clench, but it wouldn't surprise me with the stress I've been going through. I'll chew gum today and see how I do.
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Aug 22, 2011 15:15:50 GMT -5
reenee -- LOL I am not the special breed who swims in the Pacific Northwest, but wasn't sure if you were or not. I much prefer the calmer, warmer waters of the Caribbean, but the ocean air should still make you feel better. I hope you feel better soon. Ear infections/aches are no fun.
muttley -- Condolences to your family on the loss of your grandmother.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Aug 22, 2011 17:12:56 GMT -5
Update: 13 NS days and 3 CS days = 16 NS/CS days Just a quick note to say hi!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Aug 22, 2011 18:59:36 GMT -5
well that was fun. I just wrote one of the most amusing cover letters ever to respond to a job post. Blue Eyes sent me the email about them hiring and I was really intrigued. Definitely a moment of "you know you're not in corporate america when.... you use a swear word in the letter and the RFP said applicants must be comfortable with nerds, swearing and fun."
Anywho, I went for a long drive in the country and cleared out my head. There is so so much going on with my client, my house, my family, my trip and friends that I just want a break. Even an uninterrupted night of sleep without dreams would be ideal.
Lots more to do tonight and I'm so tired it's insane. Can I have a shot of coffee followed by a sugar chaser plsthx.
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dakota4600
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Post by dakota4600 on Aug 23, 2011 8:18:09 GMT -5
Morning ladies.
Update 12NS, 2CS, 14NEO.
Today will be a CS. I NEED (my bangs are constantly in my eyes) a haircut. Tonight is $8.99 haircut night at the place I go.
Not much going on on the NS front. It has been pretty quiet, but we are gearing up for the IL's anniversary party on Sunday and Thursday is back to school night at mini-D's school.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 23, 2011 9:49:17 GMT -5
Update: 10 NS + 9 CS = 19 of 26 Okay ladies, do you ever get the feeling that you're the one not on board, that you're the one keeping your family back from living the debt free life? Well, maybe not that extreme, but last night, it kind of felt like it. Now, I've been honest from the beginning (at least I think I have) that I'm the bigger spender of DH and I. If I have cash, it just slips though my fingers like sand. I'm on these boards because I need accountability. DH is pretty good at not random spending all on his own.
Warning - long story ahead - skip if you want, I'll alert you when the important stuff comes back up- Our story begins back in 2008 when DBro took a job in Australia. (I can't believe it was that long ago.) Mom looked at planning a trip there to see him and talked to me about it. From the beginning, my target date was March 2012 - flights to Australia are expensive. Mom went Christmas 2010. DBro has spent most of his time in Australia not being able to do his job. He's frustrated and not handling being so far away from the family as well as he thought he would. (He served in Germany for a year, but that comes with built in Army buddies. This does not.) Not being able to come home for Nana's funeral in May was really, really hard on him. So, he's been considering putting in for some jobs opening up back here in the states. But he told Mom maybe he should wait a bit, as I'd be really mad if he moved before I had a chance to visit. I assured him that, no, I would not be mad. In fact, while going to Australia would be nice, what would we do? We could return to England for a full week at just the cost of the plane tickets to Australia. The thing is, that March 2012 idea of Australia had kind of fallen by the way side, what with DH losing his job and now being back in school full time. I'd kind of forgotten about it. And then, last week, what did ProBoards do? (Yes, I'm blaming the boards. Silly, I know.) They showed ads for Aer Lingus. For cheap flights to Ireland. I got to go to Ireland last time, but DH did not. We'd both love a trip to Ireland. So I looked- when is his Spring Break. Oh, its the last week of March, 2012. And two round trip tickets to Ireland can be had for under $1800. (Which is about the cost of one round trip ticket to Australia.) I mentioned this to DH on Friday, as we were hanging out in the DC's room, watching her pack.
-we have now reached the relevant part of the story- Last night, I'm getting ready to buy our tickets for Roller Derby Regionals and make our hotel reservations. We have been planning this since we found out Regionals would be in Portland this year. I had some questions for DH about what we wanted, and he comes over and looks at the computer screen. With fees, two three day passes to the tournament will run us $178. And he starts to balk. I'm like- we have the money for this. We've saved for it. And he's like yeah, but between the tickets, two nights in a hotel, gas and food for 3 days, we're looking at $500-600 dollars for this trip. That's 1/3 of the cost of plane tickets to Ireland. The cost of a hotel in Ireland would really be the cost of re-joining RCI and we'd get a timeshare for a week. We'd have rental car costs, and food costs, but the joy of the timeshare is that we can buy groceries and eat 2/3 of our meals in. The dollar's weak, so that's still more expensive, but less expensive than it could be. So.... I need to sit and talk with him in more detail tonight, and maybe do some research about when attractions open. We went in early March last time (it was when my spring break was) and not all the historical sites we wanted were open. Late March might be better. We could wait until summer, but with the Olympics in London, I'm not certain if I want to be travelling at that time. As for Derby, it looks like we'll drive down on Sunday, catch the final 3 bouts (determining who goes to the Championships) and drive back. Cost will be $60 for tickets, $60 in gas, and probably one meal out. (We'll pack sandwich stuff.)
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Aug 23, 2011 11:20:23 GMT -5
shanen - I can kind of relate. My family is planning an Alaskan cruise next July, which blue and I want to do (me more than blue, but he's up for it). But we also both very much felt the need for a vacation and I found a great deal on an October cruise and plane tix, so we're going on a Caribbean cruise the week of our one-year anniversary (probably not doing excursions to save money). Now, with the car repairs and planning for starting a family next year, I'm feeling like maybe we can't afford Alaska, but I really really want to go, and my parents would be so sad if we didn't go. It's been a long, long time since we did a family vacation, and my stepsister and her fiance are going, and I think my brother and SIL, so... I need to stop spending elsewhere and really buckle down for savings for our Alaska vacation. And baby. And getting our EF back to where it should be. And freelancing has kind of dried up at the moment, although I'm confident it will pick up again in the fall once I get going with my new client (my computer is being fickle, another hassle). So I guess you just have to prioritize and make cuts elsewhere. But realize that the great deal to Ireland will come up again probably same time in 2013, and ask if you guys really need that vacation. Or is something closer to home a better option for right now?
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financialpeace
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Post by financialpeace on Aug 23, 2011 12:19:56 GMT -5
I broke my spending streak and got a NSD yesterday ;D. I'm so happy. I hadn't had one since we left for vacation on the fifth. I think I am finally out of my spending mode. I felt like I literally could not control myself. It wasn't a lot of money, but it's the little $3 here and $5 there that I am wanting to reduce. I am up to 5 NSD, 7 NEO, and I think 4 MOANs. shanendoah - My husband and I just took a trip to Hawaii. It was totally unplanned. We booked the tickets and hotel and everything two weeks before we left. Although we really needed to get away and relax, I have been so stressed over how much money we spent. One way I cope with stress is by spending money, so it just made things worse. I wish we had decided to go somewhere closer and cheaper. On the other hand, Hawaii was amazing. If you can wait to take the trip, I would if I were you. If you can be disciplined enough to save up all the money for the trip before you go without hurting your other savings, than maybe it is worth it for you guys. Put more thought into it than the three hours DH and I thought about our trip before booking it.
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singlemomky
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Post by singlemomky on Aug 23, 2011 13:19:59 GMT -5
Hope all our East Coast posters are ok after the earthquake. Some felt it here in Kentucky (but not me - guess our bldg has better supports).
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 23, 2011 13:39:26 GMT -5
Singlemom, if you don't mind me asking, where in KY do you hail from? I grew up just outside of Louisville and went to college in Berea. My brother is at EKU currently. I miss the hills!
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Aug 23, 2011 13:52:58 GMT -5
I was in the elevator and am telling myself I felt it but it was probably just our ancient elevator. Blue felt it and called me - it knocked stuff over at our house on LI. doesn't seem like much damage was done anywhere, thankfully.
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singlemomky
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Post by singlemomky on Aug 23, 2011 14:02:51 GMT -5
Midwestern - I live in Louisville; been here all my life
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 23, 2011 14:51:21 GMT -5
I felt the earthquake- nothing breakable fell over- but it scared the bejezus out of me! I was trying o get in the shower when it happened and and grabbed my towel and sat in the bedroom door. All I could think was "OMG the building is going to fall down and they are gong to find me here dead and naked." Unfortunately, all of my filing is now all over my living room dining room combo... the papers I had stacked up neatly went everywhere... And my clean folded clothe all fell over...
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Aug 23, 2011 15:10:18 GMT -5
Shan - Some questions for you to ponder about travel, be it the weekend in Portland or the week in Ireland... - Do we have enough in savings now to pay for the trip without compromising our other goals? - Can we realistically save enough between now and proposed trip to cover the costs without compromising our other goals? - Is this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Meaning that you'll never again have the chance to have the same experience? For example, I'd consider Red_Wagon's family cruise to Alaska a once-in-a-lifetime experience because it's extremely unlikely that everyone in her family would be able to gather as they are for this trip. - Is my desire to go on this trip a genuinely long awaited desire or is it a reaction to my recent tight budget?
This summer when it came down to the wire on the Black Hills meet-up, I had to make the hard decision to stay home. Because I realized that while I do have a genuine desire to meet all of my friends here, my insistence on going despite my near-impossibly-tight budget was childish. And that was reinforced when the near $200 deduction from my pay forced me to cancel because I wouldn't have been able to afford the plane ticket. I'm lucky (in a sad sort of way) that I'm still in a place where my financial situation can force me to make the hard, responsible decision.
And that brings me to a realization I made today. I've been irresponsible with money this summer. Very irresponsible. I've incurred late fees because I just didn't want to pay the bill when it was due. It's sickening and embarrassing to admit this, especially after being here for 2.5 years. Part of it was a childish reaction to not getting to go on the Black Hills trip. Part of it is a reaction to this long road of debt repayment and tight budget I've been on. Part of it is that I've realized that even after all this time, I haven't learned to live my life in a way that I can sustain on my income. And lastly, part of it is a pre-finish line reaction to having my student loan paid off. I've been spending like I'm done with it when in reality I've got 2 more months of payments to go.
So I'm going to go back to the beginning. When I first started on WIR, I was so bad at handling my money that I printed a chart that had each of my monthly recurring bills, estimated amounts due, and a box I could check off when it was paid. I'm drawing up a new chart for my new bills now. Because apparently I need that constant visual reminder.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Aug 23, 2011 15:17:48 GMT -5
midwestern: my nephew goes to Berea- his is going to be a junior this year. He really likes it there. We do love to tease him about the campus jobs he had. I think he was a farmer's assistant or landscaper one year or something like that and we kept telling him he was going to be harvesting the "Crop" wink wink for the school to sell.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 23, 2011 15:35:16 GMT -5
Singlemom - we're practically neighbors! ;D My sister still lives in New Albany, the rest of us are all scattered now. Sheila, that's awesome that your nephew goes to Berea. They are serious about the farm stuff. My ex's roommate was a farmhand our first year... ex and I were hanging out one day and the roommate came in, dead white. We asked him what was up and all he could say was "Today we had to neuter the pigs." It must have scarred him because he dropped out of the Ag program that week and ended up being a teacher. (I was lucky, I had a nice, calm, blood-free inside job)
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singlemomky
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Post by singlemomky on Aug 23, 2011 15:44:49 GMT -5
Midwestern - Ahhh yes, as my Indiana friends like to say "the sunny side of Louisville".
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Aug 23, 2011 16:32:45 GMT -5
Renee- I can answer those questions. - We have enough money to pay for the Portland trip out of pocket. It has been saved for. The only thing going to Portland would prevent/put off is taking the bigger trip back to Ireland/Great Britian. - If we don't do the full Portland trip (just a day trip) then yes, we can easily have enough saved between now and March (or possibly later in the summer, as all the historical sites won't be open in March) for the trip. In addition to our regular savings plan (which includes saving for vacation) DH's BFF will become our roommate again in November, and we'll be getting an extra $400/month. - Once in a lifetime- not really. We've already been to England once (though that was a once in a lifetime deal, as my travel costs were paid for by my school tuition, so we only had to pay for DH's plane ticket), and I got to go to Ireland right after that (for school) but DH went home. - Definitely something we have wanted to do again from the second we returned. When my brother first suggested that he wouldn't be in Australia by March 2012 (when we had planned to go visit) our first thought was Yay, that means we can do Britian again. The idea of a big trip next March had been put off by DH's UE and then being back in school, but it's still something we've been thinking about for quite some time.
My biggest problem is that I live more in the now than DH does. I see the tournament in Portland and think - hey we can do that. We can afford that and make the plan to go. I don't think in the long term, like - hey, if we don't go to Portland for 3 days in September, then we can go to Ireland soon, instead of who knows when. And since we save each month toward vacations in general, I don't always think about the total cost of the trip. $75 each for a three day pass to the tournament- seems like a good deal. Hotel room for $79/night for two nights- not a bad price. It's in Portland so we can drive (forgetting about the cost of a tank of gas and all the meals we'd need to eat out.) The truth is, between fees and taxes and incidentals, yeah, that adds up to $500-$600 for the weekend. DH sees the big picture. I see the little pieces. In general, it makes us a really good team. But every once in a while, it makes me feel like I'm the one not on board with what our financial goals are.
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DVM gone riding
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Post by DVM gone riding on Aug 23, 2011 19:37:57 GMT -5
so I have done much better on keeping track this month and terrible on reporting it!! I have 6ns/6cs each so far, which isn't bad but on two of the weekends I spent a lot of money that wasn't nec planed! So going to have to get the budget under control a little more or redefine "controlled" so it includes most days for things that are "ok" so I don't go crazy some days--when I go crazy I spend a couple 100 not an extra 20. So not looking fwd to the CC bill coming latter this month, it has an "intro" rate and there is an airplane ticket to Africa on there right now so it is going to be high---guess I will have to add a "mini" race to my regular WIRR race!
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Aug 23, 2011 19:50:14 GMT -5
Back from vacation - good news is we stayed on budget. Bad news is we spent every freakin penny of the budget. But we had fun, relaxed and celebrated DH's b-day. mizbear - please think long and hard before taking your nieces and moving back with your family. I understand the desire to help/rescue and was in a situation w/my niece many years ago that would have been incredibly toxic to me if my adoption of her had gone through. Even my therapist couldn't save me - I was ready to sign the papers - the only reason I didn't was because she said no and in the state of FL an 11 year old can say no and derail the adoption. Be a stable/loving force in their lives - but don't destroy your own or you won't be able to do that for them. azmom - glad you are enjoying/making use of the supplies! shan - uh - raising hand here {think of this as begging} - wouldn't you love your own personal free travel advisor to help you plan a wonderful Ireland adventure?? You know - over at my blog - where you could leave a comment and I could do all manner of research and planning for you and I have Ireland experience! Shameless plug I know - but I'm here for you! And any others who want free travel help!!! virtualtraveladvisor.blogspot.com/renee - hope the ear is better - my ear drum exploded in Feb of this year (at 41 you would hope to be done with such things) - so please see a doc if it gets worse/doesn't get better. I understand the impatience to be debt free and be able to spend more freely. Will you have some time before you start back at school w/o debt payments so you can "pamper" yourself a little before going to student budget mode? I need to check my counts - I think I picked up a couple MOANs in Vegas just walking around the casinos!
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Aug 23, 2011 20:36:40 GMT -5
Ugh so just paid $120 for Microsoft Office. Which isn't bad. I used Staples rewards (earned via freelance project printing and shipping, go me) to bring it down to that price. Blue has been trying for over a week to get his copy of Word 2010 to install. He thought it was my old computer from work causing issues, hence we bought me a new computer over the weekend. But then his copy wouldn't install there either (no, it wasn't a legal one, but it worked on his computer and not mine), and he was sooo frustrated he couldn't make it work. But today the editor at my new client emailed again to see if I was up to speed (they have a Word add-on that requires 2010, hence all of this to begin with) so we just bit the bullet and bought it and it works. I know blue feels bad he couldn't get it done his way sooner, and that we had to spend that money. Which brings me back to my question I don't think I got an answer to, and maybe it's just no one here knows: if I'm only freelancing part-time, can I deduct the cost of Word and the computer since they were bought and will be mostly used for freelancing? Would be nice to write some of it off on my taxes... we'll be deducting a bunch for blue since he works from home too. I think this year we might have to use a pro for the first time... I don't like that but I don't want to do it wrong. Okay, back to watching Bones. Why won't they just make out already?
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Aug 23, 2011 20:56:06 GMT -5
red wagon - yes you can deduct a portion of the PC and software - but it used to be you depreciated a portion of over a certain number of years - (been a while - so check out - so you could assign 80% of the cost and then depreciate that amount over x years (varies by type). Not all at once. At least that was how the accountant use to do the equipment/software! Hubby did freelance and turbo tax asked a lot of questions that were really helpful. Just keep very detailed records. Freelance income - especially if a significant portion is reduced by deductions - is a red flag for IRS auditors.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Aug 23, 2011 21:04:43 GMT -5
Thanks spruby! That helps point me in the right direction. I claimed freelance income last year and was okay.
blue isn't freelance, but his company is all telecommuters. Can we deduct internet, phone, etc (or a portion of) for him? Or only if you are self-employed?
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Aug 23, 2011 21:15:44 GMT -5
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sapphire12
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Post by sapphire12 on Aug 23, 2011 21:21:18 GMT -5
I've never been so scared as I was today. I never want to experience that again. The irony is that I had just come back from a walk and was telling my co-worker how beautiful it was outside. Talk about the calm before a storm. And, we have Irene on the horizon. The Washington Monument is closed until further notice.
We've had 3 aftershocks, the latest at 8:04pm, which I felt. I was sitting in my bed on a conf call and my house started shaking and my windows were rattling. Amazing, my house has actually shaken worse from storm winds. I don't think it would have been so bad had I been on the ground floor, but the 8th floor was horrifying. I will say that my colleagues got out of the bldg in break neck speed. Put some fear into people and they move.
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Aug 23, 2011 21:41:02 GMT -5
Update: 14 NS days and 3 CS days = 17 NS/CS days
Glad to here that all of those on the East Coast are ok. Will continue to hope that Irene veers East and turns into a sea storm.
Had a long day today. At school for 7am, came home for a short nap before returning for "Meet the Teacher" night. Just came home a few minutes ago. It will be a long day tomorrow.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Aug 23, 2011 21:41:21 GMT -5
spruby - since all work is done via phone and internet, I suppose that's them requiring it. Although he does have the option of going into the office, but that would incur $300/mo in commuting. I'll have to read through that site more thoroughly. Thanks again!
sapphire - I can only imagine how scary that must be. Glad you are safe and I hope the aftershocks stop!!
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3catslady
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Post by 3catslady on Aug 23, 2011 21:43:41 GMT -5
My laptop was on the fritz again. No Internet for 3 days sucks. I have not kept up with my no spend days so I am dropping out of the running for this month. I am still watching my spending. I ate out 2 times but I have not spent out of budget. I tried to get my car inspected but I have 2 holes in the rear tire wells that need sheet metaled and now my computer needs replaced. I also "want" a new fridge because my door is jarred. This is not a good month for me.
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mizbear
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Stand back. I have a budget, and I know how to use it.
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Post by mizbear on Aug 23, 2011 21:45:42 GMT -5
sapphire- When we felt it over here- at first I tought I was starting to have a seizure or my sugar was dropping out or I was having a heart attack or something... then I realized it was an earthquake and thought OMG they will find me here dead and naked with my bath towel.... I am really considering just telling exSIL that I can't watch the kids anymore. Her drama is getting worse and worse.
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