shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jun 15, 2011 13:57:17 GMT -5
Yesterday was an NS. Today should be, but I'm feeling hungrier than the soup I brought, so I might give in and buy something from the cefeteria. Transferred the money today to pay for DH's summer class. It's a bill, so I don't count it for the NS/CS aspect, but ack, its almost as much as a mortgage payment for just a single class over the summer.
mizbear: Keep GM on the straight and narrow. And get DB out of there. sheila: Go on the trip. DH might very well enjoy a few days home alone.
warning: ramble ahead DC got her financial aid award letter yesterday. Its worse than she thought. We could make it work this year, but we can't commit the kind of money she would need for the next three years, so making it work this year is just putting off the inevitable. We're talking to her about what she wants to do. We will continue to offer her free room and board if she decides to take a year off of school, work and save money, and then perhaps go to school here at in-state rates. If she really, really wants to go back to school this year, we'll make it work, and DH is on board with that, we just don't think its the best plan. I know its harder on her, but its hard on me, too. She's the baby of the family, and more like a niece than a cousin. Plus, I think of the other side of my family where my cousins of roughly the same age don't have to worry about any of this. At the same time, she made the decision to go to the uber expensive school, knowing that some of her scholarships were one year only, that it was taking most of her savings to pay for the first year, and that her parents would not be helping. At the same age, I also knew my parents wouldn't be helping pay for school, so I made the decision to go to the state school where I was getting a full ride. She chose to turn down her opportunity to do that. We will be supportive and help her where we can, but neither DH and I see a point in giving her $23k over the next 3 years for her still to graduate with $31k in debt. If we could do that and she'd have no debt, it would be a different story. Yes, she could consider private student loans, but I'd rather she didn't. I don't think I know anyone who thought private student loans were a good deal 5 years after they graduated. And its not like she's getting an engineering degree. Her degree will be in Classics. If she's lucky, she'll make $35k/yr when she graduates. And if she goes on to grad school, she'll still likely never make more than $80k/yr, and its just not reasonable for her to leave undergrad with $50k in debt. So I've pretty much told her that if she goes private student loans, she gets no money from us. As DH said, it feels counter intuitive. It's hard for kids to get aid at the age they're "supposed" to be going to college. If she waits until her mid-20s, she's golden, but at 19, no luck. FAFSA family contribution numbers are pretty bunk, and there is the assumption that parents will be more than happy to pay for school. Its just not always (or even the majority of the time) possible for families to contribute what the FAFSA says they should.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jun 15, 2011 14:43:21 GMT -5
shanen - that's a real bummer for DC, but for you and DH you are making an investment in her future, and you need to make sure your money is being used wisely. I can totally see not wanting to help her go so far in debt. Blue has a LOT of private loans (we celebrated when they got below $90k) and now he's doing grad school... which seems like small beans in comparison, but still makes me a little nervous. Luckily I graduated with less than $17k in loans so those aren't really anything at all, already below $13k woohoo. In any event, school loans can be helpful if you're going to be in an industry that will make them worth it (like blue). If I went to grad school for History (which was my college major) that would not be worth it. Going for publishing, perhaps. I think it's great that you guys are even helping her at all!! I hope she realizes how lucky she is!
Finished tapering off one of my meds today, after 6 months. Small victories, minor monthly savings, and I like that I'm not quite as doped up. Still have like five other things I take daily, but that's better than 6! Now, on to the next one. (all of this is cause I can't be on these meds and have a baby, and I figure it'll take me a year+ to taper safely and not have my body spazz out on me)
Hope everyone is having a happy hump day! I have my fourth class session out of six. It's super boring so I'm looking forward to it being over. Blue is going to the Yankees game. Hope they lose haha.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 15, 2011 14:44:49 GMT -5
shenandoah- I'm wondering what your cousin would do to come up with the money to go back to school? It sounds like the job she got for the summer isn't great money and I know it can get really really tiring doing a job you don't like long term.
mk- I probably won't be able to make the Black Hills which is really depressing. So much going on at work that taking any time off is impossible. I'm also pretty laser focused with money at the moment and haven't set aside enough to make it happen. Boo.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jun 15, 2011 14:50:37 GMT -5
Shanen: I would be leaning toward encouraging your DC to take the year to work and establish her residency so her tuition will be lower. I know that the world needs people in the humanities type fields and teaches but I'd have a hard time encouraging someone to incur $31K in debt or $54K if you don't help her with the $23K with career prospects of making $35k a year. That's some hefty loan payments she will be making for years to come. Just my two cents. In full disclosure- my dad paid for my first year of school then I joined the military and paid for my own way through school. Took me a while but I made it out with Zero School debt.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jun 15, 2011 15:02:50 GMT -5
red: I'm not thrilled with her having $31k in debt, but at least that's all the federally guaranteed loans, which are very flexible. Private loans aren't. I only had $16k in undergrad loans, and 11.5 years after I graduated, I still owe more than I borrowed (that changes in Sept) precisely because I took advantage of their flexibility. I also took another $39k in federal loans for grad school (though I'm down to owing just over $25k on those).
startsmart: There is currently no job for the summer. The one she got said she had 3 days to meet the quota. After 2 they told her not to come back. (I'm certain it was in the fine print somewhere that they could do that, but its still annoying.) The other job she interviewed for, she was told she'd be perfect, if only she weren't leaving at the end of the summer. We're expecting her to get a minimum wage type job, but she'll have free room and board. And then, instead of going back to the $46k/yr school, she would have established residency here and go to the $8k/yr school. And hopefully she'd be able to drop to part time at what ever job she was working and continue earning while she was in school. And again, free room and board vs paying for the dorms and meal plans.
(Mind you, this all seems very expensive to me, as the undergrad school I went to was about $2500/yr, not living in the dorms. - And yes, I took out more in student loans than I needed to or should have.)
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jun 15, 2011 15:10:06 GMT -5
sheila: DH & I are both on the work for a year side pretty firmly. I wouldn't be thrilled about her joining the reserves/going ROTC to help pay for the school (and get her qualified as independent, at least by the FAFSA, if not her school), but could respect that decision, though that is pretty low on her options list. (And by not thrilled, it has nothing to do with how I view military service, coming from a military family, but I'm not happy about where our military commitments are for the forseeable future plus it wouldn't be a good fit for her personality.) The other thing with staying here, I have some amazing friends who can provide her with (unpaid) internship and other learning opportunities in areas she is interested in, that would get her realy world experience and recommendations that will be worth almost as much as the degree once she actually had it.
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jun 15, 2011 15:26:38 GMT -5
Shanen- my comment wasn't meant to be a plug for the military as a schooling option. Just pointing out that I worked and did my schooling at the same time to be able to come out debt free. Yes the GI bill helped but I still had to pay for a good bit out of pocket. But no- I wasn't suggested she enlist just to get her schooling paid for- I apologize if it came off that way.
What is a "Classics" degree? At our local university they tend to go for the "regular" - computer science, engineering, elem. ed, math, etc. Not too heavy on the liberal arts side. Just curious what kind of career path she is looking for.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jun 15, 2011 15:55:42 GMT -5
Sheila: we had discussed the military as an option last night, so it was on my mind. I don't think it came off as a plug. I'm just sensitive to people thinking I am anti-military because I am ultra liberal in many areas. So the comment was more about me than you. A degree in Classics is essentially a degree in Ancient Greece and Rome. It combines history, archeaology, anthropology, art, architechture, philosophy, literature and languages (Ancient Greek & Latin), all with a focus on those two locales.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 15, 2011 16:42:12 GMT -5
shenahdoah- assuming your cousin is pretty bright and a go getter, I don't see why a minimum wage job would be expected.
I know the economy sucks and I don't mean this as disrespectful to anyone who does or has worked a minimum wage job to make ends meet.
Does she know what kind of work she would like to do? What things she's really good at or come naturally? Work that she would like to try or people she would like to work with?
Even with us older folks it can be really hard not to get pigeon holed into bad jobs or doing boring ass work for too long. I've done my share of crap and got sucked in to staying. But it's really discouraging, especially if she needs to set aside money for tuition or to have some savings to make the transition after college easier.
If she does stay with you for a year to establish residency it would be great if she found a job where she made enough to set aside rent money (I know you're not charging her rent but putting it aside would establish good habits) and make enough to live off of. Of course if she found something she loved and didn't need the money she could take a job for less for the experience because she didn't *need* money for rent.
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reeneejune
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Post by reeneejune on Jun 15, 2011 17:22:27 GMT -5
Shan - I'm not sure how familiar you are with my story, but I hope you'll share it with DC. I graduated at the top of my high school class and received a number of scholarships. I chose to go to a very expensive private christian college. My parents not only could not contribute to the cost of my education, but they also refused to provide the information required for the FAFSA and by the college's financial aid office after the first year. I lost not only my federal student aid, but all of my scholarships as well after the first year because my parents wouldn't even fill out a few papers. I went to school as a music education major. After two years of college, I've got three years worth of music, bible, and upper level lit classes that are essentially worthless at any other university (they all count as electives, except for the two lit classes). I also left school with about 30k in debt. No degree. No qualifications. I've worked very hard since then to pay off my previous student loans. I've worked jobs that I hate. I've worked jobs that made me physically ill from the stress. And I've always worked well below my potential because I didn't have that degree. So here I am, 9 years after leaving high school with honors, studying middle school math on my own so that when I go back to college I won't have to pay for classes that won't count toward a degree. Mine is a horror story of what could happen.
With all that said, here are my suggestions (what I would do if I could do it all over again): - Take a break from the expensive school. Take classes at a local community college that will transfer to the expensive university. (Tuition at community college is MUCH cheaper than at a university, even at out of state prices) - Do not, under any circumstances, take out private loans. - Make sure you (DC) have a clear career path once you've gotten your degree. A bachelor's in underwater basket-weaving might be a whole lot of fun and very interesting to study, but it's not going to put a roof over your head or food on the table. - Learn to live as frugally as possible. Learn to cook from scratch. Learn to accept every bit of help that comes your way, and learn to make the best out of whatever you have.
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azmom
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Post by azmom on Jun 15, 2011 17:58:59 GMT -5
I received an e-mail today from a running group warning runners about the incident on Saturday. The girl was raped and severely beaten. The attacker is still on the loose and so her identity is being shielded. It is so sad and frustrating all at the same time. It's true that crime can happen anywhere. The person who sent the e-mail wrote this "Several of you who know me, know that I am an avid runner and this is just too much to handle in our own fairytale suburban community." Anyhow, there are going to be two neighborhood information meetings held in regards to the attack. I'm a little more shaken up about it today after getting some of the details than when I was first made aware. I even almost went running early this morning, alone. I keep thinking about that poor couple who are friends of the girl and their compassion when they saw me running. I am so thankful for their warning, which caused me to go home and bypass the assault site. It's all so freaky.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jun 15, 2011 19:07:40 GMT -5
Regarding DC- Check and see what state jobs may be open- Such as bridge toll operators. Even though the hours can suck, it is not quite as bad as it used to be with more people using EZ Pass and the like. The money is decent. And she may want to check into online schooling depending on her work schedule. FAFSA has some screwy rules about living at home. I was 28, living at home, divorced- which meant they shouldn't have been able to count anyone else's income- and they still tried to say I would have a $3000 contribution from home based on my app. Make sure she talks to the FA office.
They kept DGM today because she has a tummy bug. Want to make sure it's antibiotic related and not something contagious.
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spruby
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Post by spruby on Jun 15, 2011 19:19:10 GMT -5
shenandoah - not to pile on your DC - I (with the help of government loans/grants/scholarships/working 50+ hour weeks while taking a full load of classes) put myself through school w/o parental support. Before my junior year I switched from a private school to a local public school - even though I was not a resident - I finished my degree for what 1 more year would have cost at the private school. And frankly - while I wasn't a business major - I was a LOT more employable than a Classics major.
Does DC have a plan? What job will she get with her degree? What is the average salary? What does she want to do? Student loan debt - as many of us here know - limits your choices when you graduate. I couldn't afford to intern for below minimum wage - I had loans to feed!
You are offering her a HUGE gift - enough to get her through school debt free - don't feel bad about putting restrictions on the gift - your gift it meant to help - not enable bad decisions.
All that being said - how will you feel if she says tough - this is what I want to do, keep your gift, I'll just borrow more? We offered a family member a similar gift - they didn't like the "terms" - and instead of graduating debt free they have 20k+ in debt. You can only make the offer and share your experiences.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jun 15, 2011 20:44:11 GMT -5
I wish I had stayed at home and had not gotten married the first time when I went to college. (Well, I could say things about not getting married either time, but) If he had been a keeper, he would have seen that it would have been a good idea for me to stay home and finish college before getting married. I was 17 when I started college, so I was still on the DMs health insurance (and would have stayed on it until I was 21 as a student at the time), my grandparents took care of my room and board since I lived with them and car insurance and a running vehicle was part of that deal as long as I maintained a B average. There were also scholarships I qualified for that I lost. Granted, I had 2 free rides that my DM would not let e take because it meant going to school away from home- but c'est la vie- If I had been in her position at the time, I probably would have kept me close to home too.
shan- Love your karma #!
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moneysquirrel
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Post by moneysquirrel on Jun 15, 2011 22:08:18 GMT -5
Update: 5 NS and 5 CS day = 10 NS/CS days Getting little things done at home. It is too hot to do much outdoors so I try to get all errands finished early each morning. I have been reading and keeping up with the board but forgot the comments I planned. Good night all!
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jun 16, 2011 8:37:29 GMT -5
Shannen - I have no advice others haven't given. Kudos for you for helping out when you can. I've been a bit emotional since yesterday afternoon. DH's youngest niece is 14. Her parents are divorced and 1 year ago her dad remarried. When her parents split, her mom kept the house (her dad either pays for it or paid it off as part of the divorce settlement) and they owned property on the same road about a 1/2 mile up the road and her dad built a house there. So her parents had both joint legal and joing physical custody of her. Well her dad's new wife is apparently a piece of work and has locked DN out of her dad's house once and has basically been nasty to her. Yesterday my DN wrote a facebook post that made me want to cry. Basically, her step mom gets mad when DN doesn't tell her how she is feeling, but then when DN tells her, step mom makes fun of her. Who does that? Particularly what 40+ year old woman does that? She has no kids of her own. So maybe she doesn't get it, but who thinks it is ok to make fun of a child. Yes, DN can be mouthy and have an attitude, but what 14 year old doesn't from time to time. She is basically good kid: very smart, very athletic, very talented, and in general has her head on straight. She's not boy crazy and is still acts like a kid (which I find a relief when there are so many stories of 14 year olds trying be adults). She starts high school next year and high school is hard enough when the adults in your life act like adults, let alone when they are acting like high schoolers. I sent DN a message last night to let her know she could call me to talk or vent. I just feel so helpless living halfway across the country from them. Fortunately, her mom (DH's sister) is 100% in her corner and ready to fight for her.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jun 16, 2011 9:53:31 GMT -5
shanen - I don't see why DC would only be able to get a minimum wage job either. Even in high school I had summer jobs as office assistants, Sears photographer, retail sales associate, etc, that paid at least .50 over minimum wage and taught valuable skills. DC seems like a smart girl. Perhaps look for work in a library or bookstore? Blue and I are trying to encourage his brother to get a summer job. He's going to be a junior in college with a degree in film and has little to no work experience. We're a tad worried about what his post-college plans are. For now his parents are pushovers (for the baby of the family) and let him be idle at home in summers.
muttley - that is just horrid!! I know my BFF from when I was little barely sees her dad anymore because her stepmom is so wretched, and her mom died a few years ago. she's very alone now as a result. I hope your DN and brother work it out so they can maintain a relationship even if the evil stepmom doesn't factor into it...
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jun 16, 2011 10:16:39 GMT -5
muttley- OUCH! Kudos to you for being in niece's corner. My nieces had a stepdad like that and he wondered why the bipolar B**** of an aunt (moi) didn't like him. Ex-SIL is now divorced from him. Shan- I agree with everyone else, DC is in quite a pickle school-wise. If she is interested in history, could she get a degree in history or secondary ed or lit (whatever her major concentration is) and then do a minor, specialize, in Rome? I hate to see her with unusable credits or dragging school out. If she was to go for a degree in whatever subject or aspact took her down this direction originally- Lit, history, anthropology, secondary ed and get a degree there- she could work on the second major or a minor in the actual country while working as a teacher perhaps.
I get to take Niece T to her therapist today. Ex-SIL wants me to meet her because I am her "reference" and emergency contact. It's called I live closer to the place than anyone else. Wish me luck.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jun 16, 2011 10:16:54 GMT -5
REd - Fortunately it is not my brother who is DN father. Her mom is DH's sister. My brother would never be douchebag to his daughters.
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redwagon
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Post by redwagon on Jun 16, 2011 10:28:05 GMT -5
whoops. sorry about that muttley! in any event, I hope she and her father can work it out! (and she and her mother I hope have a good relationship too) no kid deserves to be treated like that.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Jun 16, 2011 10:30:54 GMT -5
Yesterday was a spend. I gave in and bought lunch at work. DH paid for his BFF's dog to be put down. (She was very old, in very bad shape, and if she'd been our dog, would have been put down a couple years ago. I am very glad DH was able to be with his BFF during this time, and have no issues with him paying for it. It just made yesterday a pretty sucky day.)
About a minimum wage job: The Seattle economy is why I currently assume she would get a minimum wage working in the mall/food server type job. Office jobs that pay $29k/yr are requiring BAs at this point. If she could get on with a temp agency and do a temp to perm somewhere, I could see it. But realistically, we're looking at working in the mall or someplace where being a cute young girl gets you the job. (And note, Seattle minimum wage is $8.67/hr, or $18k/yr full time. With no room and board expenses, that allows her to save a considerable amount of money.) I don't put restrictions on her major. My BA is in History. I have a friend who has her BA in Classics and is an award winning travel writer, getting paid to spend most of the Seattle winter in the South Pacific, so I don't knock the major. I have told her that we won't co-sign for private loans, and if she takes out private loans we won't be helping her financially. (Of course, DH and I will probably then put together a plan to start an EF for her to help cover loan payments when she graduates, though we won't tell her about it.) She is very aware of how much we don't have to help her. But she's 19, living in a dream (that she knows is unrealistic, but if you can't dream at 19...) and a little brainwashed by her school into believing that she can't get as good an education elsewhere. Personally, I'd stack UW up against Reed (or most private schools) any day of the week. My Mom is also willing to help DC (who is essentially her surrogate granddaughter, much more than a niece), so I sent her an email this morning with the details. She'll be up to see us over the 4th of July weekend, and it will help if we can present a united front.
DH pretty much had an awful day yesterday- as he called it, he spent the morning killing DC's dreams and in the afternoon, killed his BFF's dog. Tonight we'll probably take his BFF out to dinner, and we've got other friends checking on him. (He lived alone except for the dog, so doesn't have the emotional support DH and I had when losing our dogs.)
muttley: *hugs* to you and DN. I know exactly how she feels. My DSM did not like kids, and married a man with 2 teenagers. She and I are able to have a cordial relationship because I didn't live with them. DBro did, and she got mad when he showed up on a surprise visit to Dad before leaving for Australia- that's how bad their relationship is. He's moving to the other side of the world, and she's mad that he didn't plan his visit 3 months in advance. Sadly, I think the answer for your DN is that she choose to live primarily with her mother. She's old enough that the court should allow her to make this decision (if her father were to fight her decision, which he would hopefully not). And then she needs to spend most of her time with her father in 1:1 time, with as little interaction as possible with the step-mom (there will have to be some). It sucks,at 14, to have to decide how much your relationship with your father is worth and to put limits on it. But for her own mental health, she needs to. You being there for her to vent to is the best you can do. But if she starts to seem too down, please don't hesitate to talk to her mom about getting her in to counseling.
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 16, 2011 10:39:17 GMT -5
yesterday was another NS as I stayed home and hunkered down to work. Didn't even go out to get the mail.... I think I'm going to stay inside today and make myself coffee and lemonade. It's so icky outside that as soon as I get home I want to change clothes again. My sunburn is 99% healed, a little red in a few places but otherwise faded to tan Overall this month I've been very good using cash and nothing else - even paid my hotel room in cash which was nice. I need to go back and track my spend days but I know there's just a few. Shenandoah- why not have DC sign up for an account here and post her situation anonymously in WIR (not YM unless she has serious time and no fear)? That way we can hear in her own words what she is interested in doing, what jobs she might be interested in and share about our own experiences with student loans.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jun 16, 2011 12:01:10 GMT -5
I had to put my foot down to the familia this morning. I was on the computer typing to you gals when I suddenly broke out in hives all over my belly (which is ridiculously big enough without a stupid looking red rash on it). Then the power went out and the rash went around to my back. Well, at first I blamd it on my coffee creamer because I was drinking coffee this morning and I am lactose intolerant- except I buy dairy free liquid creamer!!! So I called the doctor, popped a Benadryl and told them what happened. Well, the doctor was trying not to laugh at me (she also sees DM, so she knows ALL about my stress level)- she told me I was breaking out in hives due to stress!!!! OMG! She still wants me to go see her tomorrow (she wants to see me Benadryl free), but she is certain that's what it is. Probably because this has happened before but not in years. WHAT NEXT!!!
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startsmart
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Post by startsmart on Jun 16, 2011 12:30:11 GMT -5
shen- sorry about BFF's dog, glad your DH could be there for his friend in a rough time.
I'm a little biased on this one but DC doesn't have to limit herself regionally. The more flexible DC can be now, the more skills she can gather before gaining her BS. Some ideas:
1. Testing service - start with proctoring for tutors which for most services would be $10-$12 an hour.
2. Online VA - anything from scheduling to sending customer service emails. Average is $12-$15 an hour. Bonus: no need to get fully dressed, spend money at the mall for lunch and the hours are flexible.
3. Learn an online specialty - if she can apprentice and do some free work to learn the ropes then she could get referred to paying clients and write her own ticket. Anything from online shopping carts, sending out email newsletters or writing content for websites or programs.
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mizbear
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Post by mizbear on Jun 16, 2011 17:51:00 GMT -5
Wow! Great ideas startsmart!
GOOD NEWS from the BEARCAVE!!!! My aunt and the doctors and DM and staff ganged up on DGM and have talked her into doing another 30 day rehab stint! This will give them a) time to evaluate her again b) time to get her strong again c) time for us to get things done at the house d) get DM through chemo e) get at least part of the reno done Maybe I will stop breaking out in hives now *sigh*
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muttleynfelix
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 15:32:52 GMT -5
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Post by muttleynfelix on Jun 16, 2011 20:23:18 GMT -5
Yeah! MizBear! That is great to hear!!
It is 1 week until our "vacation"!! We are going to my parent's house and then Sunday Night DH and I are going to spend the night at a Bed and BReakfast! Woohoo.
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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
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Post by mizbear on Jun 17, 2011 8:13:51 GMT -5
Getting ready to take DGM to the nursing home. She actually has calmed down about it- so that is good. Now I might be able to get some things done on my crazy to do list this weekend. And I am down under 190 pounds again. And my nieces have agreed to cooperate with me this summer. Things are looking up- all but these stupid stress induced hives.... see doc later...
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redwagon
Senior Member
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Post by redwagon on Jun 17, 2011 9:16:11 GMT -5
mizbear - yay for the good news. Hope those hives clear up!
I think yesterday was a NS... I spent my fun money but that was it and that's allowed. I'm really only counting "house money" now, or if I use a CC for my personal purchases. So yeah, yesterday was my 4th NS day. Cool.
Heading up to my parents tonight. Going car test-driving tomorrow morning, then my cousin's high school graduation party (he was valedictorian. so far me and my cousins have churned out 2 valedictorians, a salutatorian, and a #3 from this high school. my grandparents got good genes I guess!), then hanging out with BFF and her DF. Sunday is a bike ride with my parents. Should be fun. Then blue abandons me again for the week. I have a coypediting project to do so I'll be busy, at least!
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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
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Post by mizbear on Jun 17, 2011 10:23:47 GMT -5
red- Congrats on the Honors at school for the family! Nice! Some of ours they are just happy if they graduate! (Not acceptable with yours truly of course) Reno supplies were delivered at 7:30 am so I guess it's official- DGM is getting a new roof! Hopefully the money and weather will hold out and she will also get new siding, windows, shutters, and a wheelchair ramp (I really don't want to be outside in 100 degree heat building a wheelchair ramp). If there is money left, we will also be making the master bath fully handicap accessible- roll in shower with bench and ADA height potty (no more expensive than a regular one) with floor anchored rails. The only other projects are wiring, redoing the little bath, and converting the house to HVAC. The roof has to be checked by the bank people by the end of the month or it will cost in penalties- even though we have been waiting on the town for permits. Oy vey. Luckily, my late grandfather was very good with $$ and made sure there was $$ to take care of this stuff.
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ses
Familiar Member
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Post by ses on Jun 17, 2011 10:43:49 GMT -5
Shannen-- have no idea how student loan qualifications work in todays world so this comment may be out in left field. I think you should charge DC rent, of a standard and reasonable rate, and do not acknowledge the family relationship at all so she will be totally "independent" for loan calculation purposes. If you choose to bank it for her future needs and "gift" it back to her that is your business. Besides it is a good way to teach RL management skills.
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