March 2012: Spring Break, Here we come! Threadjackers take over the world!

[Lidian]

I'm going to start with an update, then respond to comments, if you lovely DISers don't mind.

I called my TA this morning and bumped our tickets down to 2days. She gave me the new balance. We will still have to scrape up some money, but it's a bit more manageable for our final January payment.

I also scouted around and was able to get my college bookstore charge under the limit. I'll have to buy some items OOP, but at least I am getting better deals than what I'd pay at the bookstore. There's one book I'm concerned about ... if my college doesn't have it Used, then I'm not certain what I'll do. They're not stocking new, but could order it for me, but it's almost double what I'd pay anywhere else. I'm worried that if I order it on the day I buy my books at the store, I won't get it in time for class (charging period is only a few days, I think the week before classes start). It's an expensive book, and if I buy Used, then my college has the best deal (by over $100). So cross your fingers on this one. If the college doesn't have it, I'll try to scrape up funds to buy it somewhere else and pray it arrives in time for class. (It's also one that would actually be the best deal as a download from B&N -- but then you have to factor in the price of an eReader ... so, meh.)

I think I am going to get an eReader with my school funds, so I can use it for the following semester, and it is a purchase I've wanted for a long time, but was hesitant on. If I work things right, I could return the Used book and then download the B&N book and save a few more dollars. Plus, it's a book that I wouldn't mind keeping anyway, as it's an Accounting book.

I think the biggest dent in the purse is all the software I have to buy next semester. Three of my classes require software, and that's not something you can buy used, since you need the access code.

But .. anyway, things are looking MUCH better today, and I'm in a better mood. You guys are TRULY AMAZING for the support and kind words you've offered me. I love you all!!

Liddy, I feel your pain...so sorry friend!! My DH has worked for the same company for neary 10 years now. They get two bonuses a year, and the bonuses have been approximately the same EVERY TIME...except this last one. Everyone's bonuses were cut in HALF. No explanation was given to anyone. That was our Merry Christmas from his company. I pray things will get better. This is a tough economy and we have all had to readjust until things get better. We are here for you anytime you need to vent!

Oh my oopsi! That's awful! I'm so sorry to hear that!!! I know a bonus is just that, it's bonus funds. But in my situation, they said they'd compensate (they didn't), and it was the same as last year's ... and last year they had a HORRIBLE year. This year, they were in the black ALLLL year and made a huge profit. I just don't get it.

I asked DH if he questioned his compensation, and he said he's afraid to, that he's afraid they'd take his measly check away. Plus the owner is vacationing (again) in Hawaii (again).

I feel your pain. A few years ago DH got laid off with only 2 weeks of compensation. 2 weeks later he heard from soem of his old coworkers that everybody got unexpected bonuses (they were substantial) and the boss showed up in a brand new Benz

It's so frustrating, but you will see better days in the future, I'm sure!

OH WOW! That's terrible! I'm sooo sorry!! Kinda sounds like the same company DH works for. His boss has been to Hawaii (for vacation) 4x this year. He bought a new car and said it was a piece of crap (I think DH said it was worth like $200k) -- because the custom interior was toupe not tan or something dumb like that. It had to do with the color ... well, the SHADE. I mean, sure, if you're going to make a large purchase, you should get what you want .. but how about taking care of the people who MAKE YOU THE MONEY??

I am sorry that they didn't give a good severance package. I know that some companys do lay-offs to "benefit" the company and other employees... I worked for one. But that's just wrong to give two-weeks pay. You can't hardly find a new job in two weeks!!!! Especially in this economy, anyways!

But it looks like you guys bounced back. So I'm glad to hear it.

I am so sorry to hear about your husband and bonus. My DH got a pay cut five years ago, has not had a raise or a bonus in fifteen years. We live in very tough times (thankfully, I have a very generous boss who does "outside the box" from my firm).

As for the textbooks, have you ever looked into Chegg? You can rent the textbooks through them. We did this for our youngest son for the last two years of his college studies...it worked out great.

Your DH seriously has not had a raise in 15 years??!!!??!! WOW!!! I'd be spitting ... something! My last boss was good. Everytime he got a bonus, he'd share it with his peons. It would be a very small percent, but at least he was being thoughtful, since he didn't have to give us anything. And it was all "hush hush", as he could have been written up for "gifting" us. But it's good to know there are generous people out there who take care of their employees.

Chegg was a website that popped up, but never heard of it, and would hate to be scammed or have a bad experience. Since you use it, I'll definitely check it out! Thanks!

Goodness, Lidian, I am away for a couple of weeks and I come back to read your bad news. It really sucks when you are promised something and it they don't follow through.

I have bought books form Amazon several times (new and used) and were happy with all my experiences. As for buying books on Ebay: look at their feedback percentages. If most of there feedbacks are good (98% or higher) than I wouldn't worry to much, but that also depends on how many transactions they do. You can always message them and see exactly what the conditions of the books are and ask what their return policy is. And if it isn't what you thought it could be you can always dispute it with Ebay (though it is a pain in the butt)

Some ebooks are able to be put on any device, though if you buy from Amazon it can only go on a Kindle, if you buy from Barnes & Noble it can only go on a Nook. Though I just recently bought an ebook on Amazon it it let me download into my computer, though that is not easy to move around.

I like the idea of down grading your tickets until closer to your date. You only need two for the booking and can add them back when you get your taxes and money from the school.

I know this is alot to handle right now, but remember you went through a simular situation for your May trip and everything worked out. It will work out this time to , so sit down, take a breath, and remember we are all here for you.

I use Amazon all the time ... but it's their "marketplace" that I've never dealt with. Anytime it says "packaged and shipped from seller Xyz", I close it out.

I used to buy and sell on eBay all the time, but now that they've made it soo difficult to leave appropriate feedback (unless it's positive), I've had nothing but horrible experiences. All the sellers I've dealt with had high feedback, in percentage and quantity ... and they've all burned me. And I can't leave the negative they deserve. Sure, it gets resolved in the end, but I'd love to mark them as a Buyer Beware and then explain why. And the only way to do that is by leaving a positive (and I've seen many Buyer Beware comments as a positive).

I think I'll just stay away from eBay and not deal with the stress.

Some of my books were available as eBooks direct from the publisher, but I don't want to lug my laptop to class with me, as it's a heavy laptop (it was designed more for gaming).

Sorry about the money issues. I know what those are like. I work for a car dealership. They have been in business since 1923 selling new Chevy and Dodge/Jeep. Last year they took Chevy away from us and now this fall they took the Chrysler franchise away. The lovely government making it difficult for small business again. They closed all but the big dealers. We are STRUGGLING to say the least. 4 out of my last 10 paychecks have bounced. Not fun when I am trying to save every cent for Disney. I have asked for nothing but Disney giftcards for christmas and I hope people will follow those orders I told them, even if its only a $5 card, that will get me a lunch....or maybe a snack

As far as text books: My cousin and I were just discussing this. She has gotten 95% of her books from Amazon. She has a Kindle (just the basic one) and she gets some on there, but like someone else posted, Kindle doesn't do page numbers. So you have to be careful which ones you get on there. And yes, you can make highlights and notes, but nothing is like the real thing. But I would not hesitate to recommend Amazon. Their customer service is second to none! If you do get something that isn't right, just give them a shout and they will make it right. Even if it isn't sold by them...like a used one, it is still a reflection of their site and they will work with you and the seller to make it right. Love them! (No, I don't work for Amazon...see above ) I absolutely love my Kindle and couldn't live without it, but not for textbooks.

I hope everything works out. You have helped me out on here so much! I wish I could do something.

So sorry to hear about the dealership! We have this stretch of road here called the "Airport Motor Mile" ... it used to be LOADED with car dealerships (and it's on the strip that the airport is located). Now, there's like 2 dealers left. I know a Toyota one ... and there's another one across the street. Rusty Wallace something? Anyway ... all the "small" buy here/pay here lots are gone from the motor mile. There's only one I know off the top of my head in town anymore. So I'm truly sorry that it's happening to you too!!

I can't believe your paychecks are bouncing!!!! I hope they're refunding incurred fees. Perhaps I should come take care of your company's books. Hey, I totally have some accounting experience and classes under my belt!

When it comes to notes and such ... I'm very OCD about them. I can not bring myself to write in a book. I don't mind if someone else has highlighted or written in the margins (I find it helpful, so long as it isn't distracting). But I can't bring myself to mark in books. It's part of my OCD I guess. So I'm not worried too much about noting and highlighting in an eReader, as I'd write the notes down on a piece of paper and then type it into Word. In class, I take notes on print-outs of the PowerPoint presentations the professor goes over. Then I decide the important things, or things that don't come naturally to me, and I put them into Word and print them out for easy study. So odds are, I'd never use the highlight or note section in an eReader.

But page numbers are important to me. I spent a lot of time in my first Accounting class with remarks as: "Turn to page 197 and review Exhibit B." "Turn to page 264 and work E-17 with a neighbor." So I'd need to be able to turn to those pages in my upcoming classes. And sometimes we'd go over problems in class so we could get a visual on how certain things are resolved before we do the homework.

Anyone know what Kindle has against page numbers?

I do want to eventually get an eReader ... and I'm torn on which one to get. There's a lot of things about the Nook Color that I prefer, but I've heard their books are much more expensive than Amazon's. But the Kindle Fire doesn't have page numbers, and I've not found any of my textbooks available for them.

Anyway, you lovely folks are amazing! Thank you!!!

 

[DMGeurts]

Liddy, i am so glad you were able to make your trip more manageable... I was gonna cry if you weren't at wdw with me. now we can both cheer each other on to save up the $$ for our park, tickets.
i am also glad tnat you are feeling better about every thing, i can really hear it in the tone of your voice, so i am just relieved for you. And please know that i am here for ya.
D~

 

[sjs314]

Lidian - so glad to read you worked out a plan with your WDW vacation and your school books. My Ddil bought an e-reader and was able to get some of her text books that way to save a little $. I wish you all the best, I know it was a big let down when your DH did not get his expected bonus

 

[solana131]

Good news updates are the best Happy you are able to shave off a little from the trip and I hope you get an unexpected bonus and can splurge once you get there! I'll try to save you some Tonga Toast

 

[Corrine 1973]

I am so glad that you found away to make things work. Stick in there Lidian, we are there for you.

 

[Lidian]

Liddy, i am so glad you were able to make your trip more manageable... I was gonna cry if you weren't at wdw with me. now we can both cheer each other on to save up the $$ for our park, tickets.
i am also glad tnat you are feeling better about every thing, i can really hear it in the tone of your voice, so i am just relieved for you. And please know that i am here for ya.
D~

Thanks D! I've shed a lot of tears since DH found out about his bonus. We've known for a bit, but I've kept my fingers quiet until I could determine how serious things were.

But tears are dried up. I'm ready to get this trip paid off!

You're a great friend D, thank you!!

Lidian - so glad to read you worked out a plan with your WDW vacation and your school books. My Ddil bought an e-reader and was able to get some of her text books that way to save a little $. I wish you all the best, I know it was a big let down when your DH did not get his expected bonus

I am considering the Nook after I get my school check. If I time it right, I can return my book for a full refund and then get the eBook even cheaper. I'd like to do more research on the Nook though ... I wish I had a friend with one so I could play with it a bit before I invest in it. I want to make sure it's a good investment.

Thank you for the kind words and for being supportive.

Good news updates are the best Happy you are able to shave off a little from the trip and I hope you get an unexpected bonus and can splurge once you get there! I'll try to save you some Tonga Toast

Thank you! The trip will still cost the same in the end, but my payment due in January will be a bit less. And we'll have my school check and our tax refund to blow when we're there.

Thanks for saving me a slice of Tonga Toast.

I am so glad that you found away to make things work. Stick in there Lidian, we are there for you.

You're awesome Corrine! Thank you for being supportive!!





A small update ... My final grades have been posted.

THREE As AND ONE B+!!!
​

And not just three As ... but three PERFECT grades! YES! THREE PERFECT As!!!! Stupid Marketing class held me back.

Anyway, I am soo proud of myself! Sorry, I just had to share! I had a feeling of what my grades were ... but they weren't posted until today, and I didn't want to jinx them. So now they're in stone. WOOT!

 

[sjs314]

Thanks D! I've shed a lot of tears since DH found out about his bonus. We've known for a bit, but I've kept my fingers quiet until I could determine how serious things were.

But tears are dried up. I'm ready to get this trip paid off!

You're a great friend D, thank you!!



I am considering the Nook after I get my school check. If I time it right, I can return my book for a full refund and then get the eBook even cheaper. I'd like to do more research on the Nook though ... I wish I had a friend with one so I could play with it a bit before I invest in it. I want to make sure it's a good investment.

Thank you for the kind words and for being supportive.



Thank you! The trip will still cost the same in the end, but my payment due in January will be a bit less. And we'll have my school check and our tax refund to blow when we're there.

Thanks for saving me a slice of Tonga Toast.



You're awesome Corrine! Thank you for being supportive!!





A small update ... My final grades have been posted.

THREE As AND ONE B+!!!
​

And not just three As ... but three PERFECT grades! YES! THREE PERFECT As!!!! Stupid Marketing class held me back.

Anyway, I am soo proud of myself! Sorry, I just had to share! I had a feeling of what my grades were ... but they weren't posted until today, and I didn't want to jinx them. So now they're in stone. WOOT!

Congratulations!

Awesome Grades !

​

 

[cogero]

Congrats on your grades.

 

[teetee830]

I haven't finished reading your updates yet, I too have been in finals madness, but wanted to help with what I know. I feel your pain I haven't gotten a raise in 2 years but have taken on about double the resonsibility.

Anyway, I have purchased my text books from Amazon and have had a very good experiance. Plus they have an Amazon Student program and I think you get a free trial of the Prime membership for a couple months or something which gives you free 2 day shipping. Also on of my professors this year introduced me to ABE books (abe.com I think) you could google it. They are basically a service lots of used book stores use to sell their inventory. It takes a bit longer to get than Amazon and i've only ordered from there once because I'm a procastinator but my professor swears by them. You can find hard to find stuff and its dirt cheap. I got my nieces birthday present 2 books less than $10 including shipping.

As far as ereaders for class it works but it is tough to find page numbers when they tell you to turn to page whatever. However, that being said I still used mine (until I lost it )

Sorry this is so long. If you want more info or a shoulder feel free to PM me.

 

[DMGeurts]

YAY LIDDY!!!! Congrats on the awesome grades! I had no doubts, really. WHOOT!!!!

D~

 

[Lidian]

Congratulations!

Awesome Grades !

​

Thank you!!!

Congrats on your grades.

Thank you!!!

I haven't finished reading your updates yet, I too have been in finals madness, but wanted to help with what I know. I feel your pain I haven't gotten a raise in 2 years but have taken on about double the resonsibility.

Anyway, I have purchased my text books from Amazon and have had a very good experiance. Plus they have an Amazon Student program and I think you get a free trial of the Prime membership for a couple months or something which gives you free 2 day shipping. Also on of my professors this year introduced me to ABE books (abe.com I think) you could google it. They are basically a service lots of used book stores use to sell their inventory. It takes a bit longer to get than Amazon and i've only ordered from there once because I'm a procastinator but my professor swears by them. You can find hard to find stuff and its dirt cheap. I got my nieces birthday present 2 books less than $10 including shipping.

As far as ereaders for class it works but it is tough to find page numbers when they tell you to turn to page whatever. However, that being said I still used mine (until I lost it )

Sorry this is so long. If you want more info or a shoulder feel free to PM me.

I use the regular Amazon, but never their "marketplace". I had their Prime membership at one point, but it isn't worth it to us, as we don't buy enough online to warrant the need for free shipping.

Another DISer recommended Abe books, and they were one that I was curious about, so I'll definitely look into it.

Which eReader did you have? So sorry to hear that you lost it. I'm really interested in a Nook, but would love to know more about it ... and would really love to play with one before I invest in it.

Thank you!!!

YAY LIDDY!!!! Congrats on the awesome grades! I had no doubts, really. WHOOT!!!!

D~

I was worried about two of my classes, to be honest. So I was shocked that I came out with perfect scores in one of them, the B+ in the other. They were classes that I just prayed I'd pass. I guess a 100% is passing, right?

Thank you D!!!

 

[KatMark]

on the grades!

 

[Corrine 1973]

OK, since I already commented to this on your FB page I feel that I am repeating myself a little, but who care you deserve it.

You rock girl!!! Congrats on the great grades.

 

[kittylady1972]

Finally getting back here to read updates and just wanted to say YEAH and glad you are working everything out and the trip can be salvaged!

Congrats on the good grades too!!!

Off to update my PTR now that I've spent a good portion of my morning making changes there too....

 

[DMGeurts]

I just wanted to say "Hi"...

D~

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Wow, I go missing for a few days and good news starts pouring in! I am so glad you and your DH are working through your financial worries. That trip to Disney will be so much sweeter for the sacrifices you are making to make it happen.

Way to go on the great grades!!!

 

[Moira222]

YAY ON GREAT GRADES!!!!

Its no easy task to have a family and be in school, so you SHOULD be proud of your great grades.

I am glad that you were able to change your package to make it more doable now and then change it again when you get there and have a little more money. Gives you some breathing room.

Re: software for school. I am not sure what sort of software you need to purchase, however there are a few sites that give excellent student discounts. I work at a college and was able to use my staff id to get MS OFfice 7 for hubby for a wonderful price when he got a new laptop last year. Check out www.academicsuperstore.com and see if they offer your needed programs. They have a huge selection and their prices are decent for students.

My Safari bag: (sorry picture is huge, I am just putting it in from snapfish)

Thanks for popping over. I am so scattered this year. Too much to do - this week everynight is baking something whether its cookies (still have to do snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, and sugar cookies) desserts (pie and birthday cake for Jesus ) and food in general. too much to do no wonder I can't get my PTR in order! After Christmas I will have more time to play and by then I think that my friends will know for sure if they can come.

If I don't get back over, have a very very Merry & Joyous Christmas!

 

[Lidian]

on the grades!

Thank you!!

OK, since I already commented to this on your FB page I feel that I am repeating myself a little, but who care you deserve it.

You rock girl!!! Congrats on the great grades.

How does that saying go about repeating yourself?

Thank you, Corrine!!

Finally getting back here to read updates and just wanted to say YEAH and glad you are working everything out and the trip can be salvaged!

Congrats on the good grades too!!!

Off to update my PTR now that I've spent a good portion of my morning making changes there too....

Thank you!!

I just wanted to say "Hi"...

D~

Hi D!

Wow, I go missing for a few days and good news starts pouring in! I am so glad you and your DH are working through your financial worries. That trip to Disney will be so much sweeter for the sacrifices you are making to make it happen.

Way to go on the great grades!!!

Thank you!!

And yes, I agree. It will be better when we have to work harder for it!

YAY ON GREAT GRADES!!!!

Its no easy task to have a family and be in school, so you SHOULD be proud of your great grades.

I am glad that you were able to change your package to make it more doable now and then change it again when you get there and have a little more money. Gives you some breathing room.

Re: software for school. I am not sure what sort of software you need to purchase, however there are a few sites that give excellent student discounts. I work at a college and was able to use my staff id to get MS OFfice 7 for hubby for a wonderful price when he got a new laptop last year. Check out www.academicsuperstore.com and see if they offer your needed programs. They have a huge selection and their prices are decent for students.

My Safari bag: (sorry picture is huge, I am just putting it in from snapfish)

Thanks for popping over. I am so scattered this year. Too much to do - this week everynight is baking something whether its cookies (still have to do snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, and sugar cookies) desserts (pie and birthday cake for Jesus ) and food in general. too much to do no wonder I can't get my PTR in order! After Christmas I will have more time to play and by then I think that my friends will know for sure if they can come.

If I don't get back over, have a very very Merry & Joyous Christmas!

I remember the bag!!!!!! It's adorable and I want it, too!

Thank you for the kind words!! It's not easy to have a family and do school, but we make it work, and I have so much support from family and friends.

Thanks for the link about software. I'll totally check into the website! Some of the software I need already comes bundled with the book (but not all). Like my income tax book, it is already bundled with software. But my other books can be purchased separately from the software -- or bundled. I've been trying to get the best prices.

You sound like you have toooooo much to do! I'm about to go grocery shopping and buy the kid's stockings. DD has lost hers and DS claims he doesn't like his anymore. So I'll get them both new ones. Hope you can find time to sleep!


Small update:
Yesterday, I got a year younger. (Yes, I'm aging backwards. ) It started off as a horrible day ... the kids were driving me nuts, DH was taking a half day, but didn't come home after work ... and when he did come home, I wasn't happy.

(DH went to the mall to get me a cookie cake. I'd rather him come home and we all go get the cake and do some shopping. But when he came home, he got the MASSIVE one -- which is too big, especially since I'm trying to get sweets OUT of the house so perhaps I'll drop a pound or two -- and it didn't have any chocolate icing. I hate the regular frosting they put on it. So I was a bit cranky that DH didn't listen to me, and now we have a huge cookie that I won't touch.)

Anyway, I told DH I wanted to go shopping ... and I let him know I was ready. Around 4:30, he asked if I was ready to go to dinner. I wanted to go shopping first. Mom joined us and we went to Mimi's Cafe for dinner. Our server was.. not so great. But the food was AMAZING! Well, my meal was, anyway. Everyone enjoyed their meals, except the kids. They didn't care much for theirs. I had the Beef Bourguignon. OMG YUM! Not sure what DH had ... I think a steak. I mean, really? We went to a steakhouse the other day. Mom had liver (the kids loved it). The kids both had kid meals.

For dessert, the server dropped off a menu, and then DS5 decided he should let the server know it was my birthday. You know what? It wasn't bad. No one sang. He brought out a brownie dessert, it was awesome, but tiny. Not really made for sharing. We ordered the Banana Fosters. NEVER AGAIN. It was GROSS! Mom said it tasted like it was rotten. I went to take a bite, but it had soooooo much powder sugar on it, it went straight down my windpipe and I choked. I'm still tasting powder sugar this AM.

This was around the time DS decided to spill his tea all over himself. Poor thing ... so no shopping. I decided that we'd take him home and change him, THEN go shopping. Then I got a text from my bestie. I hadn't seen him in over 13 years. (He joined the USAF and after leaving it, never came home -- even for visits.) Anyway, he said he was in town, just arrived and finished dinner with his new wife. I asked mom if she would watch the kids and we met up with them at the mall. It was soooooo nice to see him! It made it the best birthday ever! I was very depressed when DH said we should head home. It felt like the old days ... when DH and Chris and I would hang out. So it was saddening to me for it to be cut short. Hopefully I'll get to see Chris again this week (before he goes back to CA).

Anyway ... overall, it was a great birthday! Even if I never got to go shopping.

 

[KatMark]

Sorry that DH didn't listen to you for your birthday. You would think after ALL of these years, men would get it right.

I'm glad you got to see an old friend...that lifted your spirits.

 

[Lidian]

Sorry that DH didn't listen to you for your birthday. You would think after ALL of these years, men would get it right.

I'm glad you got to see an old friend...that lifted your spirits.

I don't think men have the capability of learning.

His heart was truly in the right place ... I just wish he would have remembered that I don't like frosting. He loves frosting, and I tolerate it, but I request "mostly chocolate". Oh well. And then the whole not taking me shopping thing. Bleh. But I went out this AM and picked up a few things.

Seeing Chris REALLY made my day. Thanks Kathy.