Can we set up a separate board for...

[powellrj]

While I realise that not everyone is interested that my husband was out of work for seven months because of medical reasons(total hip replacement) adding this information helps explain why our budget is in trouble.:

WOW, I hate to be nosey and please don't answer if you don't feel comfortable, but what happened?!?!?!?!

I am considering having it done in the not too distant future, but I have never heard of anyone taking 7 months to recover. I may have to reconsider.

I have had total knee replacements in both knees and when I had those done the doctor said at the time to be prepared to have the hips done. With the knees I was only off work for 6 weeks each time and I told hips are easier than the knees.

Like I said, I don't want to be noisy, just prepared!

I just became what the OP was complaining about, posting something none budget, but it really is a budget topic because my budget can't afford to be off work for 7 months!

 

[midwest-mom]

I think it goes back to Sept.11th, 2001. I'm probably a bit older than many of you. September 11th was devastating in so many ways. People suddenly did not feel safe, and the economy was struggling as well. The economy never really got back to pre- 2000 health, and the last couple years have been downright terrible.

People in their 50s have really felt it. If we lose our jobs, we are going to have a heck of a time getting another one because they can hire younger people more cheaply, or they just get someone else at the company to do 2 jobs for the price of one.

I would say that I was happier from a financial point of view in the 90s. I had a great job, and my kids were younger and still living at home. Since then, DH has been laid off twice and I was laid off in the early 2000s, and never got back to the income I was making in 1998!

I think many people are afraid of the community board! I post over there all the time because I am old and have a thick skin, but I can see how someone who is new to the internet and message boards would be intimidated over there!.

I am in the best days of my life...marrying the man I looked nearly 50 years for in less than 6 weeks, taking a Disneymoon AND an Italian Honeymoon in January (gotta love them FF miles!!!) I NeVER get up on the wrong side of the bed. I'm just tired of the whining and sour grapes on some posts. You may continue flaming me now.

Congrats on your upcoming marriage!

I have put 2 kids through college, I have had DH lose a job and had to move across the country and I had to negotiate with all my credit cards and start a CCS. I look for bargains on everything and I almost an expert at using Priceline for travel.

So, no those threads don't bother me. The only thing that bothers me is being flamed when I am sincerely trying to help someone.

I'm sincerely grateful there ARE "older" people here! I'm speeding towards my own big five-oooh I realize how much I've changed, grown, matured, and appreciate life with all its joys and sorrows. I's heartening to read about them here, in addition to recalling our younger years when I read posts from that age group.

And I'm sincerely grateful for everyone's posts! Something can be gained from all of them. The bolded part is by me.

We're currently
1)putting kids through college,
2) starting the emptying nest
and going through all the budget problems that accompany this season of life.
So I Love reading posts from all people, but especially when I can relate, or know I will SOON relate. Thanks, by the way, for all of those posts, very helpful!

And now, MY nosey question

What IS the average age here? Anyone know the demographics here? Reading the other boards, it appears maybe mid fourties? Just curious.

 

[irishsharon]

WOW, I hate to be nosey and please don't answer if you don't feel comfortable, but what happened?!?!?!?!

I am considering having it done in the not too distant future, but I have never heard of anyone taking 7 months to recover. I may have to reconsider.

I have had total knee replacements in both knees and when I had those done the doctor said at the time to be prepared to have the hips done. With the knees I was only off work for 6 weeks each time and I told hips are easier than the knees.

Like I said, I don't want to be noisy, just prepared!

I just became what the OP was complaining about, posting something none budget, but it really is a budget topic because my budget can't afford to be off work for 7 months!

My DH had slipped and hurt his hip on some ice,so for the first month PT was done. When things did not get better he went to a few different ortho. drs. and it was clear he needed hip replacement(my DH was 39 when he had it done,he has lympademia in the leg that needed the new hip, which as you can imagine did not make him a routine case)It Took time to find the right dr. and then more time until they could preform the surgery.My husband was in alot of pain and was useing crutches and because he is a RN was not allowed to work the whole seven months because he could not preform his duties for the patients on his floor.He had the surgery in June and by Sept. he was back to work.Now I have just made the OP oh well I wish you the best of luck

 

[usnuzuloose]

Congrats on your upcoming marriage!


I'm sincerely grateful there ARE "older" people here! I'm speeding towards my own big five-oooh I realize how much I've changed, grown, matured, and appreciate life with all its joys and sorrows. I's heartening to read about them here, in addition to recalling our younger years when I read posts from that age group.

And I'm sincerely grateful for everyone's posts! Something can be gained from all of them. The bolded part is by me.

We're currently
1)putting kids through college,
2) starting the emptying nest
and going through all the budget problems that accompany this season of life.
So I Love reading posts from all people, but especially when I can relate, or know I will SOON relate. Thanks, by the way, for all of those posts, very helpful!

And now, MY nosey question

What IS the average age here? Anyone know the demographics here? Reading the other boards, it appears maybe mid fourties? Just curious.

Okay I'll tell my age 49 Jo

 

[Luvchefmic]

Okay I'll tell my age 49 Jo

55 here 56 in a few weeks

Ruthie

 

[abmitch01]

40 and I shuddered at the person who called 50 "older", lol

 

[tiggerplus5]

I didn't know that the budget board was not moderated. Usually the folks here are so patient and helpful. I guess that says something for the type of personalities that post on this board.

I spend a lot of time here. For years, I thought the CVS thread was a waste of time. I skipped over it for years. But when I really needed to cut back 2 years ago when my DH was laid off I knew right away where to find information. Of course, there are more detailed boards about couponing but I found them with the help from the posters here. Couponing and CVSing saved our family thousands of dollars and fed 2 teenage boys in the process. We still have both vehicles, re-mortgaged our house and we *gasp* still planned 2 disney vacations because of my couponing and smart shopping. Everything I do to keep my budget in check is so we can go back to disney.

I guess my message to the OP is that you never know when you are gonna need some advice and you will be thankful this budget board is here. I usually only read 5 or 6 posts out of 2 pages so don't think every post must be read. Just skip over it.

 

[kimsuenew]

43, soon to be 44.

DH is the provider. I am finishing my BA this summer, starting Grad School this fall, and we have one child in college as well.

I love the budget boards! We try to live frugally... our newest car is a 1997 and we tend to keep furniture/appliances/ect... until it is no longer an option! Thankfully DH is a mechanic by trade and quite handy around the house!

 

[C.Ann]

61 in the fall..

 

[irishsharon]

So how do you go about creating an emergency fund when life seems to be throwing a lot of budget busters your way?

 

[C.Ann]

So how do you go about creating an emergency fund when life seems to be throwing a lot of budget busters your way?

There's really only 2 ways: earn more - or spend less.. And I mean that sincerely (been there myself)..

I'm on a very small monthly income right now (luckily I'm "old" - so kids aren't a factor - LOL) and I'm as thrifty as can be.. Of course I always was - it's the way I was raised.. My parents struggled through the depression; my dad breaking his back and being out of work for 8 yrs. and at the same time, my sister having polio (no health ins. back then) and being hospitalized for 9 months and then over 2 years of physical therapy.. So - my dad learned how to take a dime and turn it into a dollar..

Biggest saver? Don't buy anything "new" that you don't have to.. Used is every bit as good - often just like new - because we've become a throw-away society (and that one tip there is the one that creates "The Millionaire Next Door")..

Look at things you can cut back on - that aren't really necessary.. Try to find the best rates on car ins.; home owner's ins.; etc..

Buy (or keep) used cars and take good care of them.. Cars today can easily go 200,000 miles or more when well maintained..

Don't "hire" anyone to do something that you can learn to do yourself.. You can learn everything there is to know online - or home projects in free classes at some of the major hardware stores..

Look at your food budget.. Eating out is a huge waste of money.. Shop the food sales; go to Aldis (if you have one) for staples if you happen to be name-brand loyal; and never, ever "waste" food.. Whenever you have a "little bit" of something left - and you won't eat it the next day (or there's not enough) stick it in the freezer and eventually you will have enough for a "pot luck" type meal..

Hold a garage sale.. Your trash is someone else's treasure..

Save deposit money from cans and bottles.. Save change - it adds up fast..

If you do banking where they charge you fees for this and fees for that, change banks..

If you feel you must have a cell phone, buy one at Walmart or somewhere and then buy your minutes.. You won't be tempted to use it as much that way - thus saving yourself money and not being locked into a contract..

Call your cable/phone company.. Tell them you're thinking of switching and ask if they have a better price they can offer you - to keep you as their customer..

If you live in an area where you can have a yearly budget plan for your electric, sign up - and put the difference aside each month..

I could go on and on, but I think you get the gist.. And don't look at it as being "deprived" because that's a sure fire way for the budget to fail.. Make it a "game".. "How much can I save this year? What else can I cut back on or do away with?" In a short time you'll be saying, "I can't believe I've saved that much in only a week/month/year!!!!"

Good luck! You can do it!

 

[beansmom]

HOW TO START AN EMERGENCY FUND WHEN FUNDS ARE TIGHT...

take $20 each week...put it in your sock drawer and forget it's there. It adds up and when you really, really need it...you'll remember it's there.

 

[irishsharon]

HOW TO START AN EMERGENCY FUND WHEN FUNDS ARE TIGHT...

take $20 each week...put it in your sock drawer and forget it's there. It adds up and when you really, really need it...you'll remember it's there.

Thanks good idea and DH wont find it since he never puts clothes away

 

[beansmom]

i just looked at the first 2 pages of this board again and i simply rest my case.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

i just looked at the first 2 pages of this board again and i simply rest my case.

I don't see
a lot of budget buster clutter.

 

[beansmom]

honestly?

a stroller for 55lb kids...
mil lent her car and they had an accident...
what kind of netbook should my daughter buy
where to buy pencil boxes
what's your magic retirement number
cost of a pedicure
all the assorted equipment swaps..that should be a board in itself imo
swa now taking bookings
how the heck do WE know how much somebody's car insurance will go up...
disney website EST or CST??
Contemporary vs AKL...shouldn't that be on the Resorts Board?
eyeshadow primer
Busch Gardens refillable mugs (on the DIS boards?)

i'd go on but fiance is gonna leave me sitting here while HE goes to the beach...

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

So you don't think anyone should ever ask about deals and ideas? Maybe that is where the confusion is from...at least mine, lol. I thought that you meant true budget busters. Dryer busted need new one for free, kind of thing.

I like looking to see what deals are out, etc. So I suppose I still disagree.

Have fun at the beach! Wish I had one here!

 

[beansmom]

IndianaRosie,

I guess I shoulda groused about 'unrelated' (imo) topics on the budget board. I do skip most of them but some are like train wrecks, yanno?

I lived in Indiana as a kid...numerous times...then in Texas for 30 years. I absolutely LOVE New England and all the beaches, history, scenery, things to do. I am so glad I moved up here....plus, I have a wonderful life with the man of my dreams.

Being close to a beach is good...in Dallas, the closest thing we had was mud puddles and we didn't have them too often.