Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 14:42:36 GMT -5
How would your life be different if YMAM (and it's earlier forms) Had Never existed...
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chiver78
Administrator
Current Events Admin
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Post by chiver78 on May 19, 2015 14:53:22 GMT -5
I'd likely be digging back out from a bankruptcy, after having lost the townhouse I finally unloaded last fall. I've learned a ton from all of you. some, what not to do. I also wouldn't have been able to meet some very cool locals - Malarky, cael, TheHaitian, GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl and get to know some fun people from around the country/world via this board and FB as well. .....and I'd also be a lot more productive at work. wait, who am I kidding? this place keeps me somewhat sane as I try to find somewhere else to work.
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NancysSummerSip
Community Leader
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Post by NancysSummerSip on May 19, 2015 15:17:22 GMT -5
Ditto on meeting some of the folks here: Cheesey and Sugi so far, with more to come (OMK Ken and TheHatian this fall, and Taz whenever we can get our schedules to work). I would still be struggling with debt if not for y'all. But all those virtual voices in my head would not be there, had I never found this board. And all the Cheesipedia terminology, like douchecanoe, twisty, doing a Dark, etc. My language skills are not better for this place, just more colorful.
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alabamagal
Junior Associate
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Post by alabamagal on May 19, 2015 15:53:39 GMT -5
I have not met anyone in person but feel like I know slot of you guys.
If this board did not exist I would have to find another way to pass time when I am bored at work. When I first started here I had a very boring job and had to spend 6 hours a day doing nothing but getting paid well (government contracting job).
Now that I have a better job that keeps me busy I spend less time but check in at lunch or when I take a short break.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 15:54:25 GMT -5
We would have a much lower net worth, but more fun toys. When I got here we were doing OK. Saving for retirement, but not a dime more. I had never heard of an EF or people just saving outside of retirement.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 16:11:23 GMT -5
The board has provided me a good sounding board for financial thoughts. I would probably be a little poorer if not for the advice here, whether it was agreement or re-direction. I would probably get more of my chores done if I wasn't procrastinating by being here. Have not had a job with downtime since the 90's so missed a lot of day-time chat operas
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Jaguar
Administrator
Fear does not stop death. It stops life.
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Post by Jaguar on May 19, 2015 16:20:46 GMT -5
I wouldn't have my head out of my ass in financial matters, WIR has been a godsend to me on that.
Biggest thing though is the friendships, you make me laugh what can I say.
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Artemis Windsong
Senior Associate
The love in me salutes the love in you. M. Williamson
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 19:32:12 GMT -5
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Location: Wishing Star
Favorite Drink: Fresh, clean cold bottled water.
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Post by Artemis Windsong on May 19, 2015 16:21:17 GMT -5
A lot less entertaining. I would have spent a lot more time doing nothing or crafts. More later while I digest the question.
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whoisjohngalt
Junior Associate
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Post by whoisjohngalt on May 19, 2015 16:21:22 GMT -5
How would your life be different if YMAM (and it's earlier forms) Had Never existed... I would have spent more time doing actual work while I was working and I would have spent a lot more time with my kids or cleaning the house. ETA: And I wouldn't have known about a free book store in Baltimore! Oh....and I wouldn't have met yogiiiAnd I wouldn't have realized how poor I really am
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 16:27:25 GMT -5
How would your life be different if YMAM (and it's earlier forms) Had Never existed...
That's a really good question. I have no idea what the answer is. I come to the boards now just because I enjoy reading here, but the things I learned the first couple of years after I found you all made a huge impact in my life. I was in dire straits financially and what I learned from the posters here is how I learned to manage my money better. I'm not sure how long it would've taken me to "get it", if I ever would have, if not for the plain talk I found here.
Besides what I've learned about money, I've read a lot of things that really made me think about certain subjects and issues. I've also come across some random things that I might not have discovered otherwise. Some of the information I've gotten from the boards, I've shared with people I know IRL, so there's also a sort of ripple effect.
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movingforward
Junior Associate
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Post by movingforward on May 19, 2015 16:47:10 GMT -5
I am not sure where I would be without YM. I was starting to wise-up on my own when I first started lurking back on the MSN board but I certainly wish I had found you all WAY before I did. I would have a lot more money in my retirement fund if I had.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on May 19, 2015 16:55:32 GMT -5
Never would have met TD....
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mroped
Senior Member
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Post by mroped on May 19, 2015 17:03:38 GMT -5
I would argue with you face to face!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2015 17:28:04 GMT -5
Never would have met TD.... Oh my gosh. That is a big one!!
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busymom
Distinguished Associate
Why is the rum always gone? Oh...that's why.
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Post by busymom on May 19, 2015 21:06:28 GMT -5
I've gained a circle of wonderful friends! And, I've found I'm not the only one with a crazy sense of humor.
After I started posting here, first I was getting out of debt, & when that was done I moved on to my current project of decluttering the house. And of course, during all of this, the never-ending drama of raising kids, & aging parents. You all keep me motivated to "keep on keeping on". It's always nice to talk with nice folks who are dealing with the same obstacle course in life!
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on May 19, 2015 21:16:56 GMT -5
I've met some "in real life" friends on here. Im not as active as I used to be (damn promotion sucking up my time!) but still check in often
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moon/Laura
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Post by moon/Laura on May 19, 2015 21:29:20 GMT -5
I'd be a bit less crazy.
i've only met a few people - icelandic woman, lilominx, kit (all live in CO), irishpad, and msbuffy. But in about 2 weeks, i'll be meeting Azaziel and his family from Australia (he's on icey's board), and susala i think. plus others i've met before may be coming again.
next year i'll be in wisconsin (milwaukee area) for my son's wedding, but i don't know who's there.
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NastyWoman
Senior Associate
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Post by NastyWoman on May 19, 2015 23:16:45 GMT -5
Without these boards I might have tempted to do something totally inappropriate for me, like becoming a landlord. Yikes! I also think that Mich "wins" this one
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cronewitch
Junior Associate
I identify as a post-menopausal childless cat lady and I vote.
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Post by cronewitch on May 19, 2015 23:59:38 GMT -5
I started before the migration to MSN can't remember the year but most of my money has been made while with you guys. I was ok before but you inspire me and help me remember how other people all have different lives and my way isn't right of everyone even if right for me. Some have been here so long it is like watching them grow and mature their thinking. Phil keeps me on track really starting to believe 11% is doable. You almost feel like family to share good and bad news when I don't really have a lot of personal people I can talk to. I can't post much on Facebook my entire family is there. I went through a few things like the great recession and losing my mom with you all, so thank for being here.
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
Community Leader
♡ ♡ BᏋՆᎥᏋᏉᏋ ♡ ♡
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Favorite Drink: Chilled White Zin
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on May 20, 2015 0:14:50 GMT -5
I started out years ago on MSN forums. I first started out over a decade ago on their Games forum, then gradually got my feet wet in the entertainment and politics forums - where I first met many here.
When MSN was getting ready to shut-down back in 2010, I was lucky enough to be on the right thread at the right time, when Moonbeam was setting this place up and then posted the link for our new board.
That was way back almost 5 yrs ago - when we were still on Proboards version V4.5
Thanks to Moon, she's buit this home for us to stay united - plus many, many new members since this board's inception.
No words of thanks are enough.. This place is my second family - and with my family shrinking in the last few years, I've become personally close to so many here.
I'm still hoping to meet up in person with many of you, but nobody ever seems to be headed in my direction.
I'd probably be lost without all of you after this long of an online friendship.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on May 20, 2015 5:47:43 GMT -5
You thought that was me?! Ok, it was. I've always been a saver, but I can thank YM for getting me on the Vanguard index fund track. Otherwise I'd probably have all my money in Canadian railroads.
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cael
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Post by cael on May 20, 2015 7:54:51 GMT -5
I would likely be in way more debt than I am, maybe not value retirement savings as much, maybe have bought a car that was too much for me, who knows. I was thinking the other day, I've been here or lurking here since probably 2007, that is a long time! I have definitely learned things from you all that I would never have learned from my clueless parents or anyone else. Even just being conscious of what you spend and do is a very valuable mindset to get into and reading here all these years has absolutely helped that become a thing for me. I've had online friends since I was 15 so having you guys to lurk/creep on and chat with is really nice, and I've only met chive so far IRL but I'm hoping maybe we can do a MA/NH area get together this summer for real!
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zibazinski
Community Leader
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Post by zibazinski on May 20, 2015 8:53:48 GMT -5
I would not have met POM who gave me a wonderful realtor who totally stepped back when DH got ill, then regrouped splendidly when we re-did our entire wish list for Lake Mary property. It kept me sane through DH's hospital stays. It reminded me about renters insurance. It helps me bite my tongue-a lot.
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Lizard Queen
Senior Associate
103/2024
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Post by Lizard Queen on May 20, 2015 10:29:34 GMT -5
I know I'd be getting a lot more done around the house. Otherwise, it's hard to say. I found the MSN board when I was trying to learn more about investing and budgeting and reading a bunch of articles. I was actually annoyed when the headlines I clicked on brought me to the message board instead of an article! After eventually being sucked in, I felt that it was nice to find a community where my naturally frugal tendencies actually help me to fit in. It seemed like most people I knew IRL were more about buying bigger and better stuff all the time.
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MJ2.0
Senior Associate
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Post by MJ2.0 on May 20, 2015 10:35:04 GMT -5
I would likely be in way more debt than I am, maybe not value retirement savings as much, maybe have bought a car that was too much for me, who knows. I was thinking the other day, I've been here or lurking here since probably 2007, that is a long time! I have definitely learned things from you all that I would never have learned from my clueless parents or anyone else. Even just being conscious of what you spend and do is a very valuable mindset to get into and reading here all these years has absolutely helped that become a thing for me. I've had online friends since I was 15 so having you guys to lurk/creep on and chat with is really nice, and I've only met chive so far IRL but I'm hoping maybe we can do a MA/NH area get together this summer for real! Let me know if you do it in MA and I may try to come up! I miss Boston!
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on May 20, 2015 10:36:12 GMT -5
There's a good chance I'd be divorced. There's a reason money issues are one of the leading causes of divorce. There's just so much stress involved. WIR gave me a place to vent, to ask for help, to create a plan.
Beyond that, I probably would not have had the savings to survive 9 month unemployment, or the $10k emergency fund to cover the over $6k in work we needed done on the car the month before we took our $3k Disneyland vacation (which didn't come out of the EF, because I had vacation savings, too).
And finally, as others have mentioned, there are the friendships that have formed. MrsLynch may not have made it over to these boards, but she's a fabulous person. Firebird has become a great friend.
I'm moving "north" soon, so maybe I'll finally figure out a way to meet The Walk of the Penguin Mich and TD2K. But even if I don't meet anyone else in person, I love that you all live in my computer and are a great support network for me.
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MJ2.0
Senior Associate
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Post by MJ2.0 on May 20, 2015 10:39:11 GMT -5
I've met two wonderful ladies/girls/pirate hookers Cookies Galore and Peace Of Mind. I've been talking to a lot of you for almost 7 years now. You tell me what I want to hear but also what I NEED to hear. I feel like I'm part of a big, fun, problematic, and sometimes borderline incestuous family. And I heart you all! (most of the time)
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on May 20, 2015 10:41:22 GMT -5
I used to live in a town where the "Keeping Up with the Joneses" mentality was at the "on-steroids" level. Seriously. When DH and I were DINKs, that wasn't so much an issue. But, with the kids, and staying home, and considerable unexpected medical expenses for one kiddo, it became clear that that level of lifestyle competition was a vicious cycle and an unhappy, unhealthy way to live. But, I was the ONLY one I knew who was willing to admit as much. Not only could I not keep up, I didn't want to, and that was a threat to many. I used to post on some "frugal living" boards on AOL and occasionally lurk on the old MSN boards. I was trying to find like-minded people, people who didn't value themselves or others based upon the size of their home, the model of car they drove, the size of their health club bill, etc. I admit to being really, really depressed at the time -- I'm a fairly social person with good intentions who really tries to find a connection with anyone and everybody, but I just did not fit in in that town. I found a little solace on AOL, but the boards there often devolved into bizarre catfights calling people out on stuff they posted in a far more vicious way than I have ever, EVER seen here. Eventually, AOL disbanded its boards and I started hanging out on the old MSN boards exclusively. You were all kind enough to take me in, and I feel I have found a good chunk of my "tribe" here. I don't have to put on a show, I don't have to take on debt to buy things to impress you all, I don't have to keep up with ANY of you. You all make me laugh, cry, celebrate, commiserate, learn, grow, and feel comfortable living in my truth. Eventually, thanks to you all sharing your stories and advice and support, I found my way to move to another town with a far more diverse socioeconomic mix (although it is still on the higher end of things but far more accepting) and I feel more at home than I have since I moved out of my parents' home oh so many years ago. I am certain I have returned only a tiny portion of the same to you all in-kind over the years -- you are all such a generous bunch it's hard to keep up. I've said it before, and I will always say it, you are the bestest, most kindest, most generous bunch of creepy internet stranger friends one could ever hope to have.
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yogiii
Junior Associate
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Post by yogiii on May 20, 2015 10:48:02 GMT -5
GRG - you would be seriously impressed with my phone! One of these days someone will probably pass out at the sight of it.
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myrrh
Established Member
Joined: Apr 12, 2011 22:55:14 GMT -5
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Post by myrrh on May 20, 2015 10:50:37 GMT -5
Through this board I learned about beauty schools for haircuts, Paula's Choice for skin care, ING Direct (now Capital One 360) for saving and Bogleheads for investing. That's only some of the money stuff off the top of my head. I also have learned about different walks of life and hopefully to be less judgmental and have more compassion. Though I laugh and wonder where the EBT card is when I see someone who is in an Escalade with a Coach purse talking on the cell phone! And thanks to your confessions and stories I feel like slightly less horrible of a parent. I feel like you guys are family and hope to meet some of you someday.
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