I've beenr eading a lot about this stuff. I dont know what to do myself. i had to refinance my home in Sept 2009 to get it out of my now ex husbands name. We couldnt sell because the value had gone down - so I "won" the house in the divorce since I made more money. I tried modification but do not qualify because of the refi. I have great credit and have been paying minimum payments on credit cards, and making sure my mortgage gets paid monthly. I've thought of short sale - but they bank will not approve unless I miss payments. I called the bank up - they had my financials in front of them from the loan mod request - and said they can't help me unless I default for 2 months. Once i default they will consider helping but can't garuntee it. My mortgage is about 40% of my gross and 80% of my takehome. After I pay minimum on all my bills I have about 200 bucks a month for food, gas, heat etc. So the credit card debt will be rising.
So I know some will see this as my fault because I wanted a divorce -or I should have held my ex husband more accountable and kept him in the house (for potentially years) until we sold the house.
I hate the idea of defaulting but each day when I can't even afford to put gas in my car to drive to the commuter lot to get to work - I think about it.
My survival tip is NOT to go alone if you shop at the IKEA in Hicksville on Long Island.
I don't know if all IKEAs are like this but this one doesn't allow you to take your cart to your car. If I can't take all my purchases to my car in one trip, who is going to watch my cart?!
I tend to carry a lot of stuff in my purse. I'm a student, so I always carry my student planner, along with a notebook and various pens for jotting notes and doodling. Other contents include my wallet, keys, bus pass, cellphone, makeup, toothbrush/paste, sunglasses, glasses case, various lipbalms, kleenex, a bottle of hand sanitizer, and bottles of Advil and Aleve.
Depending on the season, my purse may also contain an umbrella, hat or mittens, and often I also carry my stainless steel water bottle in it as well (along with packs of Crystal Light).
Great article, Philip! I've maintained that full-time travel is cheaper than staying in one place, for many of the reasons listed above - but I also believe that the same "travel" mentality can be applied at home to keep our expenses much lower. It's about not getting wrapped up in consumerism, and appreciating all the little things around us that we tend to take for granted when we are rooted in one place for a while.
My inlaws moved back to the Philippines after living in California for over 25 years. They downsized significantly, but to be honest I'm pretty jealous of their lifestyle now because they were able to basically "retire" early. They are doing what they want to do because they chose to give up their life here. It wasn't easy for them to move after establishing so much here, but I think they are happy where they are now. That's what matters. Some people just cannot give up the connections and things they have in one place, and that is understandable.
You want to bring it up to the temp at which the light fractions that are unpleasant/toxic boil off, get rid of them, then get it a bit hotter for the main product. Hotter still is when you stop, to avoid the unpleasant tasting tails. Lots of info at homedistiller.org (New Zealand site, it's legal there)
What's in my purse? Way too much. 2 keyrings, sunglasses, reading glasses, pocketknife, cell phone, sunscreen, packet of store rewards and library cards, wallet (change, bills, credit card, debit card), makeup bag (lipstick, lip balm, hand cream, nail file, mirror, compact), pen, paper pad, coupons, work badge, watch.
Southern France is affordable if you live in smaller, less-popular villages. I lived in the Dordogne Valley for $10,000 a year and still managed to travel throughout Europe.
I agree with you totally regarding not working with a "settlement company." I settled a credit card bill directly with the issuer and had no problem. Settlement companies charge hefty fees - it is far better to pay the debt.
I opted for debt settlement with one credit card company which was on the up and up. It worked well - the only drawback is your credit report shows the debt was "settled" but after 7 years it is erased. There are unscrupulous "settlers". Now especially I would be very leary of settling a debt.
I hate purses so I have a pocket wallet. Has drivers license, AAA card, insurance, debit card, one check for emergencies, freebirds card and health insurance card. In case of fancy pants dinners, it fits into an a clutch i borrow and then increases to include chap stick
Side Pocket #1: bus schedule, lawyer's business card, flyer for free jazz concert
Side Pocket #2: coupons for SunChips & KooKooRoos, postcard from friend announcing move, 2 pens, calorie counter
Main purse: wallet, checkbook, pocket calendar, index card file (where I keep coupons and club cards), wristwatch, mirror, lip balm, coupon from Aveda for freebie, 1 pen, 1 pencil, budgeting envelopes and a minor assortment of empty envelopes I use for scratch paper.
Zorcy, thanks for your help. Gotta admit, I've been making poteen for years, but this site has been a real revelation to me. I was vaguely aware of reflux stills, but never looked into it closely; but the steam distilling is a whole new idea to me. And i'd never even HEARD of a thumper before. Round here, it's all pot-stills. The only variation is how high or what angle you pitch your lyne-arm. And 99% of the stuff made here is just white sugar/potato poteen. Real traditional drink. But sad to say, most of it is just "culchie" quality. (that's "redneck" to you folk!). You know the sort of stuff i mean; slight green tinge and coppery taste because it's only been run once and only filtered through cotton wool (if at all). I set up a thumper and a steamer and ran some potato wash through it; triple-distilled it. It's great stuff; really smooooth! commercial quality. Thanks again! Oh, and yeah, this new set-up is odd; i ended up posting things twice.........
Clutch wallet, makeup bag, iPod Touch, extra pacifier (in case we drop or lose the other while we're out), two pens, Execdrin Migraine, lotion, and birth control pills!
Besides places like this one, where I slip in a reference to the complete works of Zamenhof as something that belongs on a list of wants, I refer to Esperanto a little more directly these two articles:
In my wallet: Driver's license, library card, two credit cards, three debit cards, AAA card, car insurance card, medical insurance card, Flexible Spending account debit card, grocery store card, Starbucks card, another coffeehouse card, a book of stamps, public radio membership card, four business cards from others (but none of mine!), and $6.40.
Thanks for sharing. Your situation is very common in the industry, and a tough choice most have to make. Ruin the credit to keep the house. If my clients would step away from the emotional aspect of home ownership, logical financial solutions can be attained.
Daniel
The Modification Insider "What Banks and Loan Modification Firms dont want you to know"
I've beenr eading a lot about this stuff. I dont know what to do myself. i had to refinance my home in Sept 2009 to get it out of my now ex husbands name. We couldnt sell because the value had gone down - so I "won" the house in the divorce since I made more money. I tried modification but do not qualify because of the refi. I have great credit and have been paying minimum payments on credit cards, and making sure my mortgage gets paid monthly. I've thought of short sale - but they bank will not approve unless I miss payments. I called the bank up - they had my financials in front of them from the loan mod request - and said they can't help me unless I default for 2 months. Once i default they will consider helping but can't garuntee it. My mortgage is about 40% of my gross and 80% of my takehome. After I pay minimum on all my bills I have about 200 bucks a month for food, gas, heat etc. So the credit card debt will be rising.
So I know some will see this as my fault because I wanted a divorce -or I should have held my ex husband more accountable and kept him in the house (for potentially years) until we sold the house.
I hate the idea of defaulting but each day when I can't even afford to put gas in my car to drive to the commuter lot to get to work - I think about it.
My survival tip is NOT to go alone if you shop at the IKEA in Hicksville on Long Island.
I don't know if all IKEAs are like this but this one doesn't allow you to take your cart to your car. If I can't take all my purchases to my car in one trip, who is going to watch my cart?!
I tend to carry a lot of stuff in my purse. I'm a student, so I always carry my student planner, along with a notebook and various pens for jotting notes and doodling. Other contents include my wallet, keys, bus pass, cellphone, makeup, toothbrush/paste, sunglasses, glasses case, various lipbalms, kleenex, a bottle of hand sanitizer, and bottles of Advil and Aleve.
Depending on the season, my purse may also contain an umbrella, hat or mittens, and often I also carry my stainless steel water bottle in it as well (along with packs of Crystal Light).
Debit card, driver's license, membership cards, AAA card, medical card, punch cards, and money!
Great article, Philip! I've maintained that full-time travel is cheaper than staying in one place, for many of the reasons listed above - but I also believe that the same "travel" mentality can be applied at home to keep our expenses much lower. It's about not getting wrapped up in consumerism, and appreciating all the little things around us that we tend to take for granted when we are rooted in one place for a while.
My inlaws moved back to the Philippines after living in California for over 25 years. They downsized significantly, but to be honest I'm pretty jealous of their lifestyle now because they were able to basically "retire" early. They are doing what they want to do because they chose to give up their life here. It wasn't easy for them to move after establishing so much here, but I think they are happy where they are now. That's what matters. Some people just cannot give up the connections and things they have in one place, and that is understandable.
You want to bring it up to the temp at which the light fractions that are unpleasant/toxic boil off, get rid of them, then get it a bit hotter for the main product. Hotter still is when you stop, to avoid the unpleasant tasting tails. Lots of info at homedistiller.org (New Zealand site, it's legal there)
I will recommend African Calabash Volunteer and the Voluntary Workcamps Association of Ghana to any Volunteer who want opportunities in Ghana.
African Calabash Volunteer in Ghana has volunteer opportunities for volunteers interested in teaching English.
What's in my purse? Way too much. 2 keyrings, sunglasses, reading glasses, pocketknife, cell phone, sunscreen, packet of store rewards and library cards, wallet (change, bills, credit card, debit card), makeup bag (lipstick, lip balm, hand cream, nail file, mirror, compact), pen, paper pad, coupons, work badge, watch.
Southern France is affordable if you live in smaller, less-popular villages. I lived in the Dordogne Valley for $10,000 a year and still managed to travel throughout Europe.
I agree with you totally regarding not working with a "settlement company." I settled a credit card bill directly with the issuer and had no problem. Settlement companies charge hefty fees - it is far better to pay the debt.
I've always felt living in New Orleans was the closest you could get to living in a foreign country while still inside the United States.
I opted for debt settlement with one credit card company which was on the up and up. It worked well - the only drawback is your credit report shows the debt was "settled" but after 7 years it is erased. There are unscrupulous "settlers". Now especially I would be very leary of settling a debt.
I hate purses so I have a pocket wallet. Has drivers license, AAA card, insurance, debit card, one check for emergencies, freebirds card and health insurance card. In case of fancy pants dinners, it fits into an a clutch i borrow and then increases to include chap stick
I'll play. :-)
Side Pocket #1: bus schedule, lawyer's business card, flyer for free jazz concert
Side Pocket #2: coupons for SunChips & KooKooRoos, postcard from friend announcing move, 2 pens, calorie counter
Main purse: wallet, checkbook, pocket calendar, index card file (where I keep coupons and club cards), wristwatch, mirror, lip balm, coupon from Aveda for freebie, 1 pen, 1 pencil, budgeting envelopes and a minor assortment of empty envelopes I use for scratch paper.
Clearly I need to clean it out a bit. [sigh]
Zorcy, thanks for your help. Gotta admit, I've been making poteen for years, but this site has been a real revelation to me. I was vaguely aware of reflux stills, but never looked into it closely; but the steam distilling is a whole new idea to me. And i'd never even HEARD of a thumper before. Round here, it's all pot-stills. The only variation is how high or what angle you pitch your lyne-arm. And 99% of the stuff made here is just white sugar/potato poteen. Real traditional drink. But sad to say, most of it is just "culchie" quality. (that's "redneck" to you folk!). You know the sort of stuff i mean; slight green tinge and coppery taste because it's only been run once and only filtered through cotton wool (if at all). I set up a thumper and a steamer and ran some potato wash through it; triple-distilled it. It's great stuff; really smooooth! commercial quality. Thanks again! Oh, and yeah, this new set-up is odd; i ended up posting things twice.........
Strathmore 5.5"x8.5" sketchbook, small pencil case (with colored pencil lead, mechanical pencils, pens, fine point sharpies, eraser), tote umbrella, cell phone, cell phone headset, Canon digital camera, coin purse, J.Crew magic wallet (CC, check card, medical insurance cards, rewards cards, driver's license), Threadless Field Notes notebook
I always carry in my purse my "I ♥ Nerds" Hello Kitty wallet, Sansa Clip, Samsung Omnia, small pack of tissues, and always a good book!
Clutch wallet, makeup bag, iPod Touch, extra pacifier (in case we drop or lose the other while we're out), two pens, Execdrin Migraine, lotion, and birth control pills!
Kompreneble! Ĉu ankaŭ vi estas?
Besides places like this one, where I slip in a reference to the complete works of Zamenhof as something that belongs on a list of wants, I refer to Esperanto a little more directly these two articles:
In my wallet: Driver's license, library card, two credit cards, three debit cards, AAA card, car insurance card, medical insurance card, Flexible Spending account debit card, grocery store card, Starbucks card, another coffeehouse card, a book of stamps, public radio membership card, four business cards from others (but none of mine!), and $6.40.
I'm afraid to look in my purse...
Or how about. Figure a way in. Hack it man
i recently got a netspend prepaid card and i dont now what to do with it should i throw it away or should apply?
Thanks for sharing. Your situation is very common in the industry, and a tough choice most have to make. Ruin the credit to keep the house. If my clients would step away from the emotional aspect of home ownership, logical financial solutions can be attained.
Daniel
The Modification Insider "What Banks and Loan Modification Firms dont want you to know"