March Madness Controlled/No Spend Thread

[sheilaincali]

ARGH!!!! Warning Rant to follow.....

So I get a call from an employee who apparently just wanted to chew me out because he owes taxes. He claims married zero (which is what I have in the system for him). The tax table is based on information that the federal government gives us. I double checked that and it's correct. There was absolutely nothing that I could have done to screw up his taxes. The computer doesn't allow me make any adjustments other than to the whole tax table (and that's done annually) or to change his number of exemptions. But it's still all of my fault and I should be fired because I "don't know what I am doing".
This is the same employee that threatened to have me jailed because he felt the job he was on was an overtime after 8 hours a day job versus an overtime after 40 hours a week. After a dozen phone calls to him and the state of North Dakota and the general contractor he finally agreed (very begrudgingly) that I was right- it was OT after 40. Keep in mind that if I had been wrong it would have amounted to a grand total of $13 that he was underpaid during the course of the YEAR.

I am ready to go home and go back to bed if this is any indication as to how the rest of my week is going to turn out!

[Honeylioness]

*&^*%&*&)(_*(&^*%&^%^&*&()*()_^&)^&^&%$%$%&*()+)()+)(&*^&%^&$%^*$*



I just want to crawl into a dark corner and cry. I HATE feeling that not only will I never get ahead financially but I am sliding backwards. I am wondering if it is better to use all my refund when it finally comes to pay off all my bills ... or continue to pay dribs and drabs and pretend the money isn't even in my account.

And speaking of which ... WHERE is it??? I sent my paperwork in over 6 weeks ago.


Honestly, I sat down to open mail and pay bills and all I wanted to do was cry and give up ... and be an ostrich and ignore it all.


Sorry ... will continue this pity party elsewhere

[redwagon]

Hi ladies! I've been so MIA this month and it's not really by choice. My two classes started up, work has actually been busy for once, I was working on a copyediting test for a freelance possibility, and I've been reading a lot of copyediting guides to try to brush up. So, I miss all of you, but it has paid off: I got THE GIG!! ;D It'll equal an extra one of my paychecks coming in, for a project due in three weeks. How much per hour depends entirely on how many hours I spend on it, since it's a flat rate. It's my first one so I'll probably take a little longer, but it's very exciting that this could turn into a regular thing and be just the IN I'm looking for. Ideally I get LOTS of these projects and can eventually freelance fulltime when I'm a mommy (meaning I'd probably be doing it at night after the little buggers are asleep, if my SIL's experience is any guide). It's so hard to get experience because everyone wants you to HAVE experience, but these guys are taking a chance on me based on the copyediting test, so YAY!

I'll try to catch up on reading this afternoon, if I can. I hope you are all well. Hugs to those of you who need them.

[redwagon]

Honey - as Dory in Finding Nemo says, "Just keep swimming." There is a brighter day out there. And all those other cliches. They are cliche for a reason (also a cliche). I guess what I'm trying to say is I wish I could help you, but I can't, and so I offer you my arsenal of cliches. I have more up my sleeves if you need them. Hugs galore.

[dakota4600]

We had a mass at Mini-D's school this morning. My IL's were able to come and see the school. Mini-D was a klingon. I had explained that mommy was going to be at school for mass, what I didn't tell him was I didn't leave after I dropped him off, I stayed to help the nuns get ready. So at one point he saw me and broke down crying. His teacher offered to let me come in and observe circle time, which I liked, because now I know what goes I and I know what to ask him about when he gets home. I really admire his teacher, she uses such a soft voice, but the kids really listen to her. After mass they asked the parents to watch the kids for a few while the staff took pictures with the archbishop. We did okay for a few minutes then the kids started getting loud and moving around. When the teachers came back in they softly started a "song" with hand signs and within 30 seconds all the kids were following along and sitting back in the circle. The song ended with them putting their hands in their laps and sitting quietly while they got up to go the bathroom in pairs. He got upset again when I said good bye, but he was calm by the time I got my coat and headed out. Luckily he wasn't the only one having separation issues.

Muttley- Mini-D loves to jump around naked or with his hooded towel on like a cape. And the recliner is always the first place he heads.

Shelia- Hugs! I deal with things like that here too for some reason I'm supposed to know things that they don't tell me. Though it is usually my boss! I had to walk her through how the tax withholdings work and she finally sat down with her accountant and they decided on an amount to withhold per pay period. In her case she has investment income that she needs to pay taxes on so she is over withholding based on her salary. But I do get the I worked 12 hours on Wed don't I get 4 hours of OT. And I have to explain that since you only worked 28 hours the entire week that there is no OT. I hope you are feeling better.

[Honeylioness]

For anyone who has to deal with employees and their withholdings ... or if you want to see what adjusting your WHs does to your take home pay ...

I use this site:

www.paycheckcity.com/netpaycalc/netpaycalculator.asp


I like it because you can load it with your state specific info along with fixed deductions like medical then play with the fed exemptions to see what makes the most sense for your situation.

[reeneejune]

Well, I'm rather far behind. I did manage a NSD yesterday, mostly due to the massive migraine that kept me bed bound most of the day. I only got up to go to my chiro and massage appointment, where I promptly threw up all over the bathroom. Before you worry, no I did not drive myself to the appointment. Feeling better today, but still feeling the aftereffects like nausea, loss of appetite, and lack of sleep.

In apartment hunt news, the landlord for the studio never got back to me and the apartment complex that was my fallback plan seems to be full. Now I'm back to square one again. I have one other last resort fall back plan, but I don't want to live there because it's too close to a former friend who is just bat sh*t crazy. Well I'm off to find out how long the waiting list is at the first fallback apartment complex.

[mizbear]

Very few jobs pay overtime after 8 hours. It's usually after 8 hours of work in a day, IF 40 hours of work in a week or pay period are completed. I liked my OT- but preferred the double and triple time I made on holidays. (I used to work at a place that paid trips on Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving)

Today is a NS. I am going to the grocery store, but the money for that is budgeted. Gotta pick up my 99c/lb chix thighs.

Grandmother is improving, but cardiologist said he needs to figure out what is wrong with her before he makes a decision and sends her home or to the nursing home for rehab or to stay.

Honey- My mom is going through the same thing right now. Her tax money would all pay off one of her credit cards, leaving her with a low debt to income ratio- bt she's afraid to spend it not knowing if she needs that money for deposits and stuff to get her own place with DGM being sick.

[mizbear]

reneejune- Call the landlord for the studio and politely jog his memory. Ask if it is still available- maybe he is doing repairs or something.
I have my fingers crossed.
I can ID with bat crazy neighbors- I have some.

[sheilaincali]

In my industry (heavy highway construction) it gets confusing. State funded jobs for the state of MN are overtime after 8 hours a day. However, in this case the job in question was in North Dakota and they are a strictly over time after 40 state. I had to show him the state statute, the copy of the wage detail for that project and a statement from the general. Then he tells me "that's what it said on the job board but I didn't believe it". It was all because one sub accidentally paid their guys OT after 8 and they bragged to my guys. Called that sub and suggested he "fix" that- so his guys went to OT over 40 too
I takes me one full day to calculate the payroll. I have to expense it to each individual project, phase of the project and job classification. Like when Dave runs the curb machine he is at one rate of pay when he is finishing concrete he is at a different rate. If he hits 3 job sites in one day it will likely be three different pay rates. It can get pretty confusing. I spend the morning on the 2nd day entering it in and processing in and then the part of the 3rd day doing all of the certified pay reports for the individual jobs.
I really enjoy winter when no one but me and the boss man (my dad) gets a pay check. Salaried and no pay reports to deal with. Takes me literally 15 minutes to do payroll each week during the winter.

[pauletteg]

for those enduring setbacks and frustrations this week, especially people feeling like they're sliding back. I'm with you.

[Honeylioness]

By the way .....

Did anyone else but me not know that this Sunday is Daylight Savings?

So on top of everything else I get to lose an hour of sleep??


*pouts*

[redwagon]

honey - i just realized a few days ago, don't worry. and yeah, definitely pouting. this isn't the fun time shift!

[mrslynch]

hello ladies! it's been a while since i last checked in so i figured i'd stop by and say hi on this lovely and wet thursday.

things are going swimmingly. i love my new job but it keeps me absolutely swamped (which, if i'm going to be at work, is not a bad thing). i'm finally caught up and can breathe! i'm still teaching and taking my writing workshops and working out and all that jazz. i've also taken on a new examiner title and i'm trying to get that off the ground. i'm glad things are staying at the status quo for now. financially, i can't complain either. i'm starting to get to the point where i'm uncomfortable being comfortable. i keep waiting for the shoe to drop. i know we're prepared but i can't shake the paranoia. and i've been spending a little more discretionary money than i'd like. it's stupid things like nail polish but i figure one $8 bottle of nail polish will save me like $300 in manis/pedis, so it's a good choice (how's that for rationalization?).

shanen--so sorry about smokey.
red--yay for the freelance gig! i'm taking a freelancing class right now. i'm not sure that it's the way to go for me anymore...we'll see. hope you like it!
sheila--feel better
honey--<hugs>
reenee--good luck with the apartment hunting! i second the suggestion to call the apartment manager to see what's up.
start--i'm sorry we did not get to meet up while you were on the east coast. definitely next time! good luck with the work/life balance. if you need help, please feel free to contact me. i've finally gotten to a good place with that. it took me a long, long time and i'm happy to share my secrets.

[mizbear]

honey- I had no clue either.

Today was a spend. Was supposed to be a CS, but I decided to go ahead and get the bottle of wine and the other 4 port USB hub- paid $7.99 for it with my RA card.
DM bought dinner for me tonight for taking her out in the rain. So I am having szechuan bean curd and red wine

HUGS to everyone.

[spruby]

arrgghhh - i miss sharing - I had another dental procedure today (one more left) - and i thought of her.

today is a total unplanned spend - overslept, forgot lunch, ordering dinner - back on the wagon tomorrow

honey - hugs - something to consider - if you pay everything off with the tax refund - does it give your budget breathing room - or just get you caught up? is there enough to add to/make a little EF (500/1000)? no right answer - just things to consider.

time for another ice pack on the face! hugs to everyone

[startsmart]

shenan- sorry to hear about your dog, the important think is he's not in pain and you did the right thing for his quality of life.

honey- no advice, just hugs in this hard time. You are resourceful and wonderful and talented. I have faith in you!

Work is challenging, very challenging. I remind myself to be grateful since it's a product of being good at what I do that there are so many demands on my time and clients who need lots of support.

I do have a chance to meet with my clients on Monday to talk, hopefully things will be slightly settled by then. That is the goal.

Also, blue eyes is adorable. I started cracking up this week when I was checking out the changes to his website. He added an old picture, one titled 'blue eyes' and I lost it. Started laughing on a train like an unstable drifter.

[moneysquirrel]

Update: 6 NS Days 3 CS Days

Today was a spend day -- nothing major, most items were needs but not all. It was also an EO day with DOM. However it was the first day out of the house in several days. The storm yesterday provided the local news guys with plenty of flood and tornado pictures and made me decide that it would be a good day to just get things done around the house.

Honey - Take a deep breath. You can handle this and it will get better. (Maybe now as soon as you would like but it will happen.)

Ladies I had other comments but I can't remember any of them now.

[singlemomky]

I hope all of our west coast posters are safe & sound during this tragedy facing them. Prayers to all those in Japan & Hawaii!

[Honeylioness]

reenee - Sorry you are not feeling well. When your tummy calms down I would give another call the landlord of the studio and just act as though of COURSE it is available. Say things like "So, what time would be good for you to show me the unit? I can do this evening or anytime Sunday"

mizbear - Sending you good thoughts that your grandmother's doctors can quickly diagnose , then start treating, her.

redwagon - Welcome back!

startsmart - Thank you my friend. I am going to try telling myself that about me and see if perhaps today I can believe it

[shanendoah]

Yesterday should have been an NSD, but I forgot to tell DH we were low on gas and he should empty one of the gerry cans into the tank, so he ended up having to get gas in order to make it home from class last night. *doh*

tsunami: We should be safe here. Seattle's pretty inland. I do feel bad for the area in WA that has an evacuation warning - Gray's Harbour County. They've been devastated by the economy (a 5bd/2ba house that needs some work but not a lot goes for $67k), and any destruction may be more than the area can handle.

Honey: You are a strong, resourceful woman who can take on the world. I agree with spruby in that if paying everything off with the tax refund gives you monthly breathing room, actually lets you get ahead, I would do it. If it doesn't, then I would maybe split it 50/50 bills and EF. Well, excpet for $50. I think you should take $50 and treat yourself to a mani/pedi or some other indulgent experience. We all need to pamper ourselves every once in a while, and trust me - YOU DESERVE IT.

[dianartemis]

I've got a mountain range between me and the coast, so I'll be fine.

So this isn't anywhere near as troublesome as what some of you guys are going through: My stupid red blinky light on my work phone has been going off for the last 2 days! It means I have a voice-mail, usually. In this case it's just messing with me! It sits out in my peripheral vision and let me tell you, that dumb blinky light has been putting me on edge. Not to mention, I keep thinking I have an actual real message.

I hope that made a couple people laugh. Sending out good thoughts for everyone who needs it. And don't forget, lot's of deep breaths, just don't hyperventilate. ;D

[singlemomky]

Diana - you did put a on my face to think that you are getting more frustrated by the minute w/the red light. Fortunately I do not have to deal w/the message light b/c my voicemails go straight to my email. It makes life a lot easier!

[singlemomky]

Today will be a spend day as we will go the Fish Fry at church tonight - first one of the Lenten season.
I also have to take Lil' Smokey to the plastic surgeon for a follow up appt to the neck surgery - hoping he releases him even though it hasn't been a year yet!

[dividend]

Wednesday was an AS - I had to go out to lunch with my team. They picked my favorite pizza place, at least, so that was nice. I got another NS yesterday. I really wanted to go out to dinner, but we ate the last of some roasted veggie lasagna I made on Sunday with salads instead, and went to a movie with a gift card left from Christmas.

Oh, also good news on the DBF front. After another epic angry meltdown on Tuesday morning, he came home from work and said that he'd called his company's EAP representative, and made us an appointment for couple's counseling. All of his own initiative! I was flabbergasted. It's next Tuesday, so we'll see what happens, but that's a very positive sign. And, I think I'm on track to not overspend my allowance (set at 5% of my gross paycheck) for the first time in like 5 months. So, YAYE!

shanendoah - hugs to you and your doggie. That's a tough thing to go through.

ses - I did indeed graduate in December, WITH HONORS, no less. They mispronounced my name at graduation, and in the picture they photographer took of me walking across the stage, I'm looking back at the announcer with a very obvious W.T.F? look on my face. It's funny now, but I was mad!

Honey - keep your chin up. Over the years I've been reading this thread you've given some of the best, reasoned advice. You're incredibly smart and determined, and you'll get past this rough patch.

startsmart - just reading your posts makes me feel frantic. What kind of business are you doing now - some kind of consulting?

[dakota4600]

Good afternoon! Yesterday was spend. I had to run to CVS and pick up a few things we were low on. Today will be as well. The special dog food for Dakota, it does seem to be helping his throwing up. Then tonight we are off to St. Joe for a night away without mini-D, so we'll be eating out. Though the cost of the B&B is only $3.45. (We are using a Groupon I bought back in December and we are responsible for the tax on the amount.) Tomorrow I think we will go to the Pony Express Museum, then maybe drive out to a bird sancutary and see if any bald eagles are nesting.

Diana- Our home phone does that phantom v-mail thing sometimes and it drives me batty too. Though I can completely ignore my voicemail light at work since it doesn't blink.

Honey- You are a strong resilient person, I know it seems like that is being tested the last few months. Hopefully you can decide how to best allocate the refund money to make things less stressful for you.

Startsmart- You've been saying that the next meeting will result in work/life balance now for a couple months. You really do need some downtime. I hope you are able to get some resolution.

Smokey- Hoping for good news from the doctor on Lil' Smokey

[dividend]

I someone making cocktails? It's DEFINITELY Friday afternoon. My manager left me in charge of my team for the afternoon, but, unfortunately, neglected to give me the keys to the beer fridge, which he normally lets us get into on Fridays.

[constanz22]

I daylight savings time! I don't mind losing the hour of sleep AT ALL! I feel SO much better physically and have so much more energy when it is lighter later. I can't wait!

[pauletteg]

singlemomky I'm in Seattle and haven't experienced anything. However, my brother was knocked off his chair -- he is in Osaka. I have prayed in gratitude for his and his family's safety. The news is devastating and emotionally draining, but having spoken to my bro via Skype this morning, yukking it up over Charlie Sheen's "Winning Recipes" video (hysterical -- anyone having a bad week go check it out), and rooting for the Vancouver Canucks with him, my tensions from the Japan earthquake have dissipated.

[dianartemis]

It's gone, it's gone! Bye-bye red blinky light! Woohoo.