Stimulus Stalkers

[htmom]

Well I have a CD that is coming due in a month, I wish my check would be in in time for me to add it to that! With the crappy interest I will be earning I need every penny...

 

[GoofyTraci]

Okay, everyone! Back away from the keyboards and take a deep breath.
.

after all of the negative post on here this one makes me laugh. thanks for lightening the mood.

 

[Rlbren]

Ok....Everyone here should count themselves lucky...at least you're getting something...no matter when it comes. You could be like my family and get nothing. We owe IRS taxes from a previous year and our money goes towards that. Oh well, that's our dumb luck!

Laura

 

[rockyroad]

It is a wonderful thing if you have no debt and you have a great job and money in the bank.

It is wonderful.

But don't congratulate yourself too much.

Unless we are incredibly wealthy, all it takes is a horrible illness, the need for a nursing home, or a bad accident and it is all gone.

We are only minimally in control of our lives.

Yes, do what you can to make your life go as you want, but be aware that life is out there waiting to kick you in the rear.

As for my stimulus check, it's going on bills anyway.
Nice to have, but not exciting.

 

[dananbethany]

It is a wonderful thing if you have no debt and you have a great job and money in the bank.

It is wonderful.

But don't congratulate yourself too much.

Unless we are incredibly wealthy, all it takes is a horrible illness, the need for a nursing home, or a bad accident and it is all gone.

We are only minimally in control of our lives.

Yes, do what you can to make your life go as you want, but be aware that life is out there waiting to kick you in the rear.

As for my stimulus check, it's going on bills anyway.
Nice to have, but not exciting.

Well, I'm depressed now.

 

[Amii]

It is a wonderful thing if you have no debt and you have a great job and money in the bank.

It is wonderful.

But don't congratulate yourself too much.

Unless we are incredibly wealthy, all it takes is a horrible illness, the need for a nursing home, or a bad accident and it is all gone.

We are only minimally in control of our lives.

Yes, do what you can to make your life go as you want, but be aware that life is out there waiting to kick you in the rear.

As for my stimulus check, it's going on bills anyway.
Nice to have, but not exciting.

I am sorry for my last post. The post that I quoted above says it better. I can tell you that anyone can lose everything they have because of an illness. I had it happen to me not once but twice.

It bothers me when I see or hear people assuming that if there are money problems that it must be the fault of the person with the money problems. Unless you have had it happen to you a person can have no idea what toll it takes. Even worse than the financial ruin is the emotional ruin it leaves the family in.

I am glad for others who are doing well. I just wish people understood how lucky they are and that they would not judge others without knowing what put them in the position they are in. I didn't know how lucky I was until everything fell apart.

 

[lilybrooke14]

I am sorry for my last post. The post that I quoted above says it better. I can tell you that anyone can lose everything they have because of an illness. I had it happen to me not once but twice.

It bothers me when I see or hear people assuming that if there are money problems that it must be the fault of the person with the money problems. Unless you have had it happen to you a person can have no idea what toll it takes. Even worse than the financial ruin is the emotional ruin it leaves the family in.

I am glad for others who are doing well. I just wish people understood how lucky they are and that they would not judge others without knowing what put them in the position they are in. I didn't know how lucky I was until everything fell apart.

 

[Mophia'sMom]

I totally understand not knowing how lucky you are until it's too late. I lost my mom unexpected in November due to medical negligance. My DH, I and our 2 DDs had to sell our home and move in with my father. He is disabled and on a limited income, and there is no way that he could care for himself emotionally or financially anytime in the near future. Our families assume that since my DH has a great job with a large company that we should be saving tons of money, but that's not the case. I lost my job not long after my mom passed away so we no longer have that income. The housing market sucks and the $50K equity we had in our home this time last year is gone. I am very blessed that we are fortunate enought to be able to care for my father, and able to allow him to live in my parent's home. It's hard for all of us, but we make things work. The craziest part of the whole IRS rebate check is that my dad now only qualifies for $300 not the $1200 he & my mom would have recieved. I think it's stupid, that he will not get the entire amount because he could really use the money. Its not like my mom died early in 2007, but she did with 6 weeks left in the year. They will not give him the full amount, but they sure in the heck taxed him for all the money my mom made that year. Oh well, sorry for venting, but thanks for listening.

 

[dis ms.]

I agree with the OP, if this money will make or break you, well then you have a bigger problem and a little financial advice should be taken from those that don't NEED the money.

Q: Ms. Hilton, what advice would you give folks who are in dire financial straits?

Paris Hilton: I'd, like, tell them to be an heiress if possible. I mean, like, that's always worked for me. And if not, they could, like, show up at some night clubs. People pay you for that, you know?

Okay, maybe that's a bit extreme. Well, I'm one of those people who doesn't need the money (good thing, since we're dead last on the schedule); so, I guess I qualify to provide financial advice for those who do need the money.

Here's what I would suggest:

DON'T:

1. Get a prolonged and/or debilitating illness.
2. Let your health insurance provider deny your claims for valid, but exorbitant medical expenses.
3. Get fired or laid off.
4. Let your spouse divorce you.
5. Let loved ones get sick and dependent on you
6. Become widowed.
7. Be a victim of a natural disaster.
8. Get robbed.

I could go on, but this is a good start.



I admit that I get annoyed when people whine about financial woes and reveal the idiotic choices they've made to cause their own problems. However, those who assume a person having money problems is ignorant or irresponsible are just as irritating.

Some things are beyond our control. Believe me, I have family members who need a financial intervention, but -- even though I haven't made the bad choices they have -- any one of the things listed above could put me right where they are: up a creek without the proverbial paddle.

And, seriously, who really cares that other people are anxiously awaiting their stimulus checks? As long as they aren't asking me for money, I couldn't care less.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I don't recall judging people for their financial situations, nor did I complain about the 'stalkers' - a term which obviously has ruffled a few and placed them on the defensive. That was certainly never my intention. I was hoping to start a thread that got people thinking about the bigger picture here.

I expressed shock at the number of anxious rebate recipients so fervently checking accounts. I don't care that you (as individuals) are checking your accounts every 60 minutes. I was concerned about the anxiety underlying the behavior in general. I was saddened that money is so tight. This, for those of you who failed to recognize it and blasted me anyway, was empathy for anyone in such a position, without making any comment or judgment about how a person could come to be there. Period. If you think I'm passing judgment then you'll have to re-read the posts... nor did I state or imply that anyone whose budget is tight is stupid.

This is the budget board. We discuss ways to save, ways to spend, ways to make our vacations cheaper, ways to make our lives cheaper so we can afford vacations... all of it. doesn't it scare anyone else that so many budget-minded people are anxious? I believe this board may be a good respresentation of the nation's economy as a whole, so diverse is the posting population. What affects DIS posters, affects us all. There are tight times ahead for everyone... and THAT is what worries me.

Fair enough?

 

[Aristomommy]

Well my "stalking" is officially over as the money was deposited to my account this morning. I am excited to buy airplane tickets to se my family in Europe. I have not seen some of my family members for 2.5 years since the cost of travel has become astronomical. One ticket with tax is about $1200 so my $1800 will get me a ticket and a half out of the four I need.

 

[MKCP5]

For those that receive this money, it should be viewed as found and not be budgeted before being received. This is not a rebate but an advance on next year's tax "savings." Those of you who live in states with income tax will receive a tax bill for this on your state taxes next year. Not really much of an incentive.

Incorrect. It is a stimulus. Not an advance

 

[CharityLynn]

We'll pretty much be saving ours..for gas and groceries. Sad but true my husband's check pays the bills but barely covers these two things. (Covers them but can't drive anywhere but school and work and don't get all the food we'd like)

 

[MKCP5]

But of course... I thought it rather rude to hi-jack the runaway stimulus threads. Thanks for your important contribution, and enjoy your stimulus check!

 

[MKCP5]

Oh good grief, you created an entire new post to complain about people and the stimulus check? Get a life, really.

Wow! Talk about rude and judgemental

 

[CarolA]

Personally, I wouldn't tell people, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, what to do with their $$. That's just me.

Then why are you on the budget board?

I love reading this board just for the "holier then thou advice" folks give on here on how to live your life. It's the main reason I come over, for the show. (I find very little real "budget advice" on here. Lots of posts are are just "spending money and thinking I got a bargin for stuff I don't really need" LOL!)

 

[cinmell]

(I find very little real "budget advice" on here. Lots of posts are are just "spending money and thinking I got a bargin for stuff I don't really need" LOL!)

Oh man do I agree with that! When I read the budget board, I end up spending money because of the sales or codes that are posted! I read the BB then go shopping.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

Then why are you on the budget board?

I love reading this board just for the "holier then thou advice" folks give on here on how to live your life. It's the main reason I come over, for the show. (I find very little real "budget advice" on here. Lots of posts are are just "spending money and thinking I got a bargin for stuff I don't really need" LOL!)

I don't come on the Budget Board to tell people how to spend THEIR money...This rebate is extra money that people didn't have before...It's not up to me to tell them what to do with it...PERIOD.

I come on here looking for deals/codes/etc....not to say "Well, if you're living paycheck to paycheck, you're so sad that you're looking forward to this $$".