Bouncing Back from Bankruptcy

The Weekend in Review

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:34:00 +0000

I had a good weekend. I managed to spend a ton of money, but on things like my electric bill, my phone bill, and a huge food shopping (I'm really liking this one big shop a month thing), some much needed new clothes and of course, I picked up two of the gift cards I'm giving away.

I got paid from both jobs on Friday, paid the bills that needed to be paid and then gave myself permission to hit the mall for clothes, within reason. I set both a budget and a numerical limit on clothes (no more than 4 pairs of pants and 3 tops). I ended up at Macy's for two reasons, well three. I had a coupon for an additional 20% off, they were having a great sale, and I know that I can swing in and hit a couple departments for clothes with the least amount of fuss and bother.

I have been pretty good about going to the consignment shops to look for clothes this past year, but the pickings have been very slim. I managed to pick up 4 pairs of pants, suitable for work and two tops. I need 1-2 more winter tops, some winter socks and if my budget permits, one pair of dress boots. My office is on the casual side, but even my casual clothes are looking a bit worn and tired. The last time I did a major clothes shop was just over 2 years ago when I hit the outlet malls and got a bunch of clothes for work. I had picked up two pairs of new pants over the winter, but I managed to destroy one pair. I think I'm pretty well set for brand new clothes. The sale at Macy's was amazing and I just happened to luck out in finding clothes I like that fit well and were in my price range.

I have decided that doing one major food shop a month seems to work well for me. I pick up the pantry staples, meat product (chicken, beef or pork) and freeze most of it, my frozen veg and I do a bit of menu planning so I only have to stop at the grocery store for my fresh dairy items and to replenish the fruits and fresh veg. Since I am a reluctant grocery shopper, this works for me. I find I'm not aimlessly wandering the isles looking for food or dinner inspiraton or buying un needed food items. My initial outlay of cash is a bit high, but then I spend very little the remainder of the month. That is what happened in October and I anticipate that happening for November.

There has been the usual drama at the part time job, the drama with the neighbor and her kids, the frustration with a new project at work-all which do have a PF angle. Look for those posts in the upcoming week!

Contest!

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:29:00 +0000

As I posted on Friday, I'm doing a give-away for the month of November

You can win either a $10 Target Gift Card or a $10 Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts Gift Card

Simply send me an e-mail or leave your information in the comment section.

Winnners will be chosen at random.

Good luck!

Update: Fixed!

Still Here and November Contest

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:58:00 +0000

Still here, but still having connection issues at home and still busy at work (which is a good thing) where I can't seem to find the time to post or at least pre-schedule posts. Sigh, it's always something isn't it!

I'm going to do a little November Give-Away. The contest will run November 2nd until November 15th. I'll randomly draw two winners on the 16th.

I'm giving away a $10 Target gift card and a $10 Starbucks gift Card or a Dunkin Donuts card for those of us who live in Dunkin Donuts land and would prefer that card.

Rules:

Simple enough~ I'll put up a post on Monday (already pre-scheduled !) and either leave a comment on the post or send me an e-mail (bouncingback22008) to my yahoo account STARTING ON MONDAY.

Hope you all are well, now for me to find a costume for my Halloween party on Saturday......

Food Shopping Spree Was A Success

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:46:00 +0000

The food shopping spree I had at the beginning of the month was a good thing! As I posted yesterday, I've been a bit crazed and I really dislike grocery shopping. I have been able to make a bunch of meals,complete with lunch leftovers and since the start of the month, have only spent an additional $20 on fresh veg and fruit.

As of now,I've not tired of the food items I bought and have not felt the urge to go out and shop for additional groceries. That is a good thing!

Just a Bit Crazed, No Internet, and I made a top 100 list!

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:44:00 +0000

Things have been a bit hairy scary right now, nothing horrible, just life. I also have almost no internet service right now at home,the free WiFi is not working well.

BUT I did find out I made the top 100 female bloggers over at Her Every Cent counts. Click here to see the list.

Some Nice Surprises!

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:46:00 +0000

Some upbeat news for a holiday Monday. Happy thanksgiving to my Canadian readers and Happy Columbus day to all the Italians who celebrate it!

A few positive things that have happend to me these past few weeks.:
1) Taking advantage of my cousins offer to use her New Jersey beach house and finding a nice bottle of whiskey on the table with a card that said, Thanks for all your help with Mom and idiot brother issue. Have a great couple days. The upside, nice bottle of whiskey to enjoy and three fabulous quiet days on the Jersey Shore. Simply a great mini break for me.

2) A very nice an unexpected note from my weekend boss thanking me for all the things I do at the weekend job and the things I do that are not in the job description.

3) Going out to brunch yesterday and then someone else picking up the tab out of the blue.

4) Getting to the laudromat and in less than 2 hours, getting 7 loads of laundry, washed,dried and folded AND making it back home in time to crash on the couch and enjoy a glass of whiskey!

The Mortgage Increases

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:46:00 +0000

This is the first month that I will be paying my increased mortgage. Yuck. I budgeted for it since I had a low paying August and did not bring in as much money as I though I would on my part time job. I also pre-paid for my 1st winter propane delivery to save some $$$$. Cash was in short supply a few times because I failed to plan properly.

The good news is the other worker bee at my weekend job will be leaving soon to back on her "medical leave" for at least three months. That will be three months of me working every weekend. I am even giving consideration to working Christmas this year to save up the funds. I don't really celebrate the holiday,despite being of the Christian faith. I figured out that I was able to survive on my reduced hours schedule (did not make too many financiall goals, but paid all my bills, plus) that I can use the experience of the past 6 months to be more disciplined in my savings. I have used my e-fund a few times and did not always replenish the full amount I took out. That simply has to change. I was doing fairly well socking away money to my credit union account, I really slacked off the past few months for no good reason!

How are you doing on your saving goals?

Shopping Spree

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:31:00 +0000

If you have read my blog in the past, you know how much I hate grocery shopping. For someone who likes to cook, I really dislike going to the grocery store. Actually, I don't mind going to various markets (meat, produce,etc), but my area of the world does not have such stores. Just over priced mom and pop local markets and the big chain markets. Spending more that 15 minutes in the grocery store gives me a headache, it really does.

After having such a crazy few weeks, I realized I was getting to the point of nothing in my food cupboards. Not that they were bare, but that I got to the point where I had no idea how to combine the last few items to make anything that was tasty. I even used up the last two cups of ramen noodles, some dying vegetables and leftover hoisin sauce to make, yup you guessed it, hoisin noodles with veggies. It's not so bad provided you don't use all the MSG filled broth in your stir fry.

Non the less, I made a list and went guilt free shopping yesterday. I spent $93 on assorted groceries and sundry items (cleaning supplies), out of that $93, about $15 were on "processed foods". Things like a bunch of Lean Cusisnes, some boxes of chicken broth, a box of Hot Pockets which I was craving, and a package of cookies. I did pick up some duplicate items to take to my weekend job as that pantry is spare and I do have my own assigned food shelf, those items are neatly bagged for my next work weekend. I also got a nice pork shoulder that will be dumped in the crock pot on Friday and set to simmer with all sorts of spices. I'm hoping to can pick up a few windfall apples as I walk past the local orchard tomorrow.

Even though I spent $93, I still did not pick up nearly enough fresh veg or other types of protein product (chicken pieces, ground beef, tofu). I have to make a Costco run tonight to pick up some items for work and will pick up my protein product then and my case of Seltzer Water that I drink everyday.

The good part to this shopping spree is that I now have a nice assortment of items for my pantry so that I can make things like soups, stews, casseroles, breads, to feed my face at dinner and have the leftovers for lunch. Even though I walked out of the store feeling a little overwhelmed, at least I'm well set on pantry staples to last me at least the rest of the month if not more!

Geting back on Track

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Soo a week later, I have no takers on my offer of guest posts. The offer still stands if you want to take advantage of my blog space to post your story, let me know! So on to the next stage. I'll be back to posting the end of this week. I am fighting a little cold and have been spending the past few nights snuggled up on the couch with a box of tissues and a mug of tea.

Hope you all are well!

This Blog is My Story-What's Yours

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:43:00 +0000

I've been a bit crazed with a couple projects, sorry for the lack of posts. Things should settle down next week, I hope and I pray they do!

Like all blogs, this is my story of my bankruptcy and coming back from it. Not everyone who has gone or is going through a BK has a blog.

I'd like to use this space to share some people's stories should you care to share. I'm asking my readers to send me a "guest post" on what your story is and what you are doing either pre-BK or post BK. It can be as long or as short as you would like.

If you are in a sharing mood, please contact me at:

bouncingback22008 at yahoo.com

Have a great week all!

Neighbor's Kid Update

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:54:00 +0000

My neighbors kid had her court date this week. She was lucky, she got off with a small fine and 25 hours of community serivce. According to her mother, the kid was actually showing some remorse about the situation. Her mother thinks that the seperation from her friends who were also arrested helped this kids attitude a bit. There was no misery in numbers and she probably got some fair time to think about the situation. The kid has been working with her dad (he is a landscaper) and will select her community service this week. The court has a list of organizations in which to choose from.

My neighbor did say that she was "giving in" to the kid a bit. My neighbor knows she struggles with giving in to her kids and just has felt that she has "denied" them so much this past summer that she was just getting tired of saying no. She did also say that when said child was sulking about the arrest, boyfriend and housing situation that she simply grow up, get a job, move out and not rely on the parents to pay for everthing. I was told that the kid had a look of shock on her face. My neighbor and I both figured that the kid thought her parents would give in and give her money for this "adventure".

Oh well, we are both hoping this was a painful lesson learned and that the kid might not make it again.

What has this got to do with personal finance? Not much at first glance, but this does go on this kids permanent record and could impact future jobs, rental prospects. I don't think she realizes that some companies and landlords are very particular about employees/tenants having clean records. I know my office makes it clear that they run a criminal record search on all employees as part of the application process. You just never know what will make an employer reject your application.

Mercury Is In Retrograde-Hence The Computer Issues, BUT Here are the Give-A-Away Winners

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:48:00 +0000

Mercury is in retrograde and I've been having all sorts of problems with my old computer. Sigh...

Non the less, I am finally able to post my give a way winners. I will be sending an e-mail to my winners. Thanks to everyone who posted in my comments and contacted me by e-mail My three winners are

Vanessa-vgssgc@------------

Frannie-Italiangirl_____@---------

and oneeighteenfifteen@____________

Your sample boxes are wrapped and ready to be shipped! Once I get your mailing addy, I will drop in the mail.

Thanks for your patience!

August Was Expensive! Plus a few Updates

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Failure to plan properly cost me dearly. I had some bills come up that I was not expecting until Sept or October and since I did not plan properly, I had to dip in to my Efund to cover them. I had a home insurance payment that I was not expecting to be so high, but I neglected to read the fine print on the last bill that stated the company for future billing, they would bill you either twice a year or once a year. In the past two years, the payments were spread over three invoices and I was not expecting to have to pay sooo much. So be it, shame on me for not reading the fine print. The other unexpected bill was my mobile bill. I've been using my phone a lot more these past few months, so much so that I keep getting hit with outrageous overage charges. I did the adult thing, reviewed my bills for the past 5 months, went to the web site, reviewed other plan options and found a new plan that should cover the minutes I've been using. It's $39 per month instead of $23 per month, but since my last 4 bills have all been over $50, I think this should help me out budget wise, especially since I know I'll be using the phone a lot over the next two months. I had some fun to me time, that while not exceptionally expensive did cost me some $$$. I signed up for a friends and family plan that gives me unlimited mintues to select numbers which will be very helpful since I pretty much only call the same 6 people time and time again.

The good news for me is I will be picking up more weekends at my weekend job. I caught up face to face with my weekend boss and we discussed the work situation. He has still not heard from my co-worker aobut her inpending surgery, but has heard about it from everyone else. Pretty much, I'm going to just drop back in to my old schedule as soon as she is off on her medical leave. My co-worker just has to tell me when she will be unable to work and I slide back into the old routine. Which is good, I have to replenish my E-Fund and I want to build back up a cushion in my checking account.

I'm continuing on my scan fest. My initial zest wore off, but every few days I scan a pile of papers, then shread them. My filing cabinets are getting nice and empty!

Contest Results To Be Posted Tomorrow

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay, but I've been without internet access at home and work has been crazy in a good way! I will have the contest results posted by tomorrow AM. Thanks to everyone who responded!

Hope you all had a great holiday weekend.

BB

More Drama Across The Road

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Just to add to my neighbors already overloaded plate. Child number two gets picked up by the police and arrested this past weekend for having drug paraphernalia in her back pack. The car she was riding in got pulled over and to make a long story short, all the passengers got frisked and checked out and she got snagged. So did three of the other occupants. My neighbor got a call to come down to the local police station at some ungodly hour of the night. She was so angry at her child that she did not want to bail her out. She wanted to leave her there until Sunday or Monday. The police discharged the kid anyway and set a court date for a few weeks from now. Again, this kid had almost no remorse about what had happened and in fact gave her mother lip when they got home about "how she did not care" if she got arrested and it was "bogus" since she only had the paraphernalia on her and no drugs. And she copped an attitude when her parents said she was grounded, could not use the car and could not have her friends over. She started on the I'm over 18 BS, you can't ground me and my neighbor said fine, go leave, get your own place. Which we know won't happen since child #2 has no money. Plus this apartment she was going to move into to be with/near her boyfriend was going to be funded by boyfriends mother. Not anymore. Boyfriends mother made it very clear that she would help her son with a place to live since he was going to a school that did not provide housing, not to allow son's girlfriend and these other folks to sponge off of her rent payments. Since said boyfreind also got arrested at the same time boyfriends mother is not thinking happy thoughts about his choice of friends at this point in time. My neighbor has to take the day off work without pay to accompany child #2 to court in a few weeks. She can't spare that money, but has to do this. She also can't afford a lawyer, I don't know what the kid will do or what the Public Defender will do.

I did all I could do which was sit on my couch, offer my neighbor glass after glass of wine, listen to the whole story and shake my head. My neighbor left this AM for her vacation. I gave her $40 and told her spend it foolishly on herself. I can truly say she needed the $40 more than I do.

My Mortgage Will Be Increasing

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Ugh, I opened the mail the other day and had a notice from my bank. Due to the increase in my property taxes, my mortgage payment is increasing. Not by a little, but by $144 a month. Sigh, it's always something. My town had a property re-evaluation, my house increased in value and thus my property taxes have gone up. When I got the notice in the mail from the assessors office, I ran some comp statistics from the MLS and came up with a fairly similar figure. I will say that even though my house is small, it is retaining value. Being on a lake does help and at least I'm not underwater on the mortgage (the Escape is a different story......).

My escrow balance took a hit for the 2nd yearly payment and my mortgage payment will be increased to build back up the escrow balance and to create a cushion for the 2010 property taxes. Time for a little budget re-evalution!

$250 Later~My Escape Is Back~

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:52:00 +0000

I have my Escape back. Lube, Oil Change, 21 Point Inspection, etc was only $40, the repair for the little noise I heard was $210 (parts and labor) seems something froze up in the drive chain. The Ford dealership said it was a good thing I got it looked at when I did as it could have led to a bigger problem. I used a Ford dealership in the next town and did not say boo to them other than Hi, I'm new here, I need an oil change and can you check out this little noise along with the oil change. Last year I needed some work on the Escape. I knew it was a PITA repair and would cost around what it did, what I was not happy with was the "suggested" repair and maintenance estimate that topped $1,100 (including the PITA repair) with the local Ford dealership. That bill and the fact one of the service mechanics just made a face and rolled his eyes at me when I said, sorry not now, can't afford it made me dump them like a hot potato. This new to me dealership was very nice and the only other thing they suggested was that I get some other fluids changed the next time I have an oil change. They did not try to push the issue and have it done now like the other dealership did.

I'm happy that this bill was not hundreds of dollars. This I can manage with only a little dip to my E-fund. I usually budget for an oil change every other month and figure every third oil change, some sort of fluid needs replacing. Last time I had the Escape in for an oil change, I got the fuel filter changed as it was overdue, earlier this spring I had the transmission fluid changed. I had the anti freeze done in the late fall. The only downside is the labor is a bit steep (hey, it is a dealership), but my regular mechanic is out of town and his limited staff is already overbooked. I just had a feeling about this noise and am glad I took the Escape in to be checked out now, so hopefully I will be avoiding a huge repair later!

Some Random Thoughts

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:10:00 +0000

Things have been busy in my life these past few days. My car is in for an oil change and to have a little bit of a check up. It needs an oil change and I want a little noise checked out. Pray that it's not a $400 repair. I've budgeted for the oil change and a small repair, not for a major repair.

The good news is I was able to get a really great quote on new gutters for the house! One of the contractors I know from my less than part time real estate job gave me the name and number of a guy he uses when he builds homes and does renovations, and I was able to get a great quote! I've scheduled the work for the end of September. I'm really thrilled about this. This gutter person also has good recommendations as well. Still nothing on the real estate front in terms of a decent commission, but I'm plugging away at it in the hopes that I will sell that million dollar house.

I'm still in scan a thon mode, each night I scan a bunch of papers and put them in a box to be shredded. My filing cabinet and file boxes are getting emptier and emptier!

I don't know about where you live, but here in Southern New England it feels like summer is over and we are in fall. It was 50F this AM when I woke up, a bit brisk even for late August!

Work Updates

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I need to talk to you about committment.....This was the message left on my answering machine by my weekend boss. I know EXACTLY what he is talking about. The person who I replaced who came back to work in the Spring is going to be unable to work for about 4-5 months because of impending surgery. She mentioned this to a couple people but never really spoke to the boss about her upcoming surgery that her doctor wanted her to have 3 months ago.

This is the co-worker who is not adapt at communicating about shift coverage, but boy did she talk my ear off the last weekend I worked. Like talked to me for a couple hours. She had a lot to get off her chest and into my ear. Most of it I had already heard through the grapevine and some of it was just chatting. But she did tell me that come the middle of October, she was going to have to go in for surgery and then not be able to work for at least 4 months, depending on her recovery time. She had not spoken to our boss about this, but I know he "knew" about it. She just had not told him face to face. I told her that she really had to speak to our boss and let him know. He travels out of area for most of October and November and the last thing he needs to worry about is finding and training new help.

The message I got from my boss was that he needed to talk to me about "committment" which I am translating as "I need to know if you can go back and work your old shift of every weekend until your co-worker can come back".

He knows that I've been using my non working weekends to do "things", work around the house, socialization, volunteer work, etc. He probably thinks that I may not be willing or able to work every weekend again. He's partially correct. I will come back and work since my weekday job is still not going back to full time hours, I most definatly can use the money (gutters, redo the bathroom, life expenses). I will tell him that I will have to schedule some time off so I can stay "fresh" and get done some of the chores around the house that take longer than 30 minutes of my time. I think he will go for it. Now to just actually catch up with him and have this conversation!

The Purge Continues.......

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I really have no idea how I manage to cram so much "stuff" into my very small house. I do know, actually, I just pile things on any horizontal surface until I can't take it anymore. Then it gets moved. These past few months I've been on a possession purge. I've listed items on Craigslist, Freecycle, hobby specific group lists, half.com, e-bay and if I can't sell it, I donate it. I have ready to be donated to a local charity for ther annual tag sale, the old AIO that I could not get to work with my new laptop, my old color inkjet printer that works, but never really printed very well, an old 24" TV with remote that needs a converter box (some one gave this to me and I just don't have the room for an additional TV), a surround sound system that needs all new speaker wires, and a piece of furniture that I hate that never made it to the last charity tag sale. This local group will pick up items and they will be driving by on Friday AM to make this pick up. I also took to the dump an old disgusting IKEA rug, a damaged wicker bathroom shelf, and two cracked plastic bins. I sold a bunch of hobby equipment and am in the midst of scanning in my old paper files to the lap top and then onto the external hard drive.

This goes part in parcel with the clutter clean out I did a couple months ago where I purged a bunch of old clothes that no longer fit (goodwill, consignment and trash), got rid of some extra kitchen items (which in hindsight I could have taken to my weekend job house-oh well), and in general just purged a bunch of knick knacks and junk.

Sounds like a lot, but I still have a lot. My house is small, poorly designed, no garage, attic or basement. I call it the Studio House because it is the size of a medium studio apartment without the benefit of being in cool section of a cool city. I know I have possession issues and I cling to things that really have no meaning or use in my life. Try as I might to adopt the William Morris philosphy to have only things in your life that are beautiful and useful, I seem to come up short. I am in the market for a dresser to use as a TV stand and a place to store my linens, I don't have a linen closet. Now that I will be less that piece of furniture I've hated for years, I can think about finally getting that dresser. I won't have any excuses for not purging the old linens and towels I've had for years as well that are on their last legs as well.

Apartment Therapy featured this studio on it's web site today. I fell in love with it. Granted not everyone will like the wallpaper or the fact that there is a plehtora of books, framed art, etc., but I like the concept of all the built in bookcases, the functional, but small kitchen, and the couch looks like the perfect place to read a book and drink a cup of tea.

I don't think I will every be able to achieve a total Zen like bare minimalist home, I like a certain amount of clutter, but I do think I am slowly making progess and freeing up some space.

Contest!

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:50:00 +0000

I love Method products! I'm addicted to the Cucumber and Pink Grapefruit All Purpose Sprays. I am a Method Advocate and last week, Method sent me a small selection of products to give away. Yup, give away. Each box contains trial sizes of all purpose spray, handwash, dish soap, wood polishing spra and a coupon for $1 any method product. I have three to give away.

So I'm running a little contest. Send me an e-mail or post in my comments section. Contest runs from today until September 3rd. I'll announce the winner on September 4th or 5th. Winner will be drawn at random and I'll wrap up the little box and pop it in them mail!

Scan Fest

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:12:00 +0000

I love my new All In One, printer/scanner/fax machine. I finally got off my lazy arse and purcahsed a unit similar to the one we have at our office and I LOVE IT. One of my goals for 2008 was to scan in my files and clean up the paper clutter. For a variety of reasons, it never happened, but this past month I made it happen. I picked up the unit at the store, took it home and set it up. I then started my Scan Fest.

I have freakishly neat files for all my banking, insurance, hobbies, etc. I have them color coded in my filing cabinet and that cabinet was getting more than a little full. I spent about 5 hours scanning in my files, organizing a system on my computer and feeling oddly enlightened as each file went through the scanner into the box to be shredded.

I set up folders and sub folders broken down by category-banking, each bank, each account, each year. Same for insurance, home, car, health, etc. You get the picture. Right now I have about 20 pounds of paper sitting in a box to be shredded. I still have a lot of files to go through and will probably spend a few hours this week going through the rest of my files. I also purchased an external hard drive and backed up data to the hard drive.

I feel pretty proud of myself for a couple reasons. 1) I finally achieved a goal that I set up for myself from 2 years ago. 2) I'm decluttering my tiny space and 3) Maybe this is the first step in getting out of that stuck feeling I've been having.

Next Step-Shred Fest

Drama Part ?

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:51:00 +0000

I posted yesterday that my neighbor is beside herself about her youngest child's decision to forgo college out of state and now stay home to be closer to her boyfriend who will be attending a community college.

Said child has not worked all summer, claims she was job hunting but unable to find a job. Then drops the bombshell on her parents that she is staying home and not going to school this semester. Her parents have shelled out $3,500 in fees that are non refundable. They were able to get back about $750, but the rest of the money-gone. The kicker is youngest child has absolutely no regrets about her change of plans and the money laid out by her parents that is not going to be reimbursed. Youngest child also told her parents that she can't enroll in the same community college as her boyfriend for this semester, not even to take some classes-why, we never got a straight answer. Youngest child still does not have a job and has no place to live since she has made it clear she is going to move in with her boyfriend and leave home. Plus they have done nothing to find a place to live either.

I spent a good portion of last night sitting on my neighbors porch listening to her vent about the above over a couple beers. I really feel for my neighbor, she is just not having a good spell. Oldest child went through a sulky phase earlier this summer when her parents said they were not funding her apartment. At least oldest child got on the stick, got a job, is now living at home and is trying to save up for her own place. As someone pointed out in yesterday's comments, a lot of this is my neighbors fault for allowing her kids to take advantage of her. I do have to agree, my neighbor has had a pattern of just giving in to the kids in the past and now that she is not, it's causing all sorts of drama.

What distresses me most is the latter part of our conversation last night. Well into her 3rd or 4th beer and crying on my shoulder. My neighbor has told me that she really wants to refinance her house (again) so she can pay off her maxed out credit cards, but she can't because her credit has taken a nose dive. Sigh. They bought a new 42" plasma TV on credit, dished out all that money for the youngest kid, paid the apartment expenses for the oldest kid, and then bought plane tickets for their vacation when ticket prices where insane awhile back. More power to her if she can refinance the house, but what will happen then? Pay off the credit cards and then run them up? Use the extra cash to "help" the kids because they have the cash on hand and not tuck it away? Plus my neighbor is leaving for vacation next week with less than $200 cash in hand. They are staying with friends, the plane tickets are paid for, but they have almost no spare cash and will be away for 7 days. I think she said she was going to use up the last of her credit on her credit card for the trip. I sort of blanked out that part, I did not want to hear that.

Oh well, all I can do is what I did last night, bring over a 6 pack and some snacks and be a shoulder to cry on...

The Drama Continues Across The Road

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:54:00 +0000

My neighbor is ready to kill her youngest daughter. Youngest child came home a few weeks ago and announced that she changed her mind, did not want to go out of state for college (after planning this for 2 years saying she wanted to beat feet from our small rural New England town) and now wants to stay local to be with her boyfriend who is going to a community college. Ah, guess what, neighbor has paid a ton of money in non refundable deposits to the out of state college. And youngest child has also not worked much if at all this summer and expects her parents to "fund" this new adventure-ie pay pocket money and her living expenses while she tries to get into the community college. Youngest child's grandmother gave her a pre-collegiate gift of $1,000 to use towards college expenses and youngest child now wants that money. My neighbor has told her that $1,000 is going toward the close to $3,500 in non-refunable expenses she has had to fork over for the school never to be attended. It's not going to youngest child. Grandmother agrees with the parent on this one too!

Needless to say, her parents are not going to fund this new adventure, youngest child is sulking almost as much as her older sister did in June and my neighbor is just out of her mind about this situation. Yikes, it's times like this I am so glad I don't have kids.

A Sale and A Purchase

bouncingback22008@yahoo.com (Bouncing Back) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:11:00 +0000

I had some hobby specific items sitting around my house for a couple of years. On a whim, I posted them on a yahoo group list, carefully detailing the age, condition etc of the hobby items. I priced them for what I thought was fair market value, must do local pick up and then heard nothing for a few weeks.

Two weeks ago, I got into an e-mail exchange with a woman who does not live in the area, but is interested in my hobby items. I have been wrapping and packing these items and tomorrow I load up my SUV and take them to the post office to be delivered to her.

I am thrilled that these items have a new home and I'm even more thrilled that I got cash money for them (it's in my pay pal account as I type). AND I'm beyond thrilled because this little influx in cash has enabled me to buy the All In One that I have been drooling over. It's the scaled down version of the model we have at the office and I love it. I can finally have my scan a thon and then a shread a thon before the month is over. The extra moola goes towards the new gutters.