I am writing from the UK and exactly the same scam is being attempted, with the same attempt to transfer responsibility to the punter to stop the texts. In fact, some operators in the UK even say "prove you did NOT agree to remove these chargeable texts" - as if you could prove a negative.
There is a small claims court procedure in the UK, doesn't need a lawyer + is v low fee. I very much doubt that any network provider could defend their stance. Do you have something similar in the US?
We use hand me downs from friends, yard sales, and 'freecycle' online to find toys for our kids. I also am a big fan of shopping ALL YEAR ROUND for gifts or their birthdays and the holidays....great finds on the clearance rack at Walmart in Jan/Feb especially. If I shop for toys, be they new or used, at great prices all year round, by the time the Holidays roll around we're just about done, only needing to fill in their up-to-the-minute biggest 'wants'. Shopping year round and not being too fussy about some 'new' toys being used helps us really cut down on the expense of toys for our kids.
Also, our kids have been raised to not expect something at the store most of the times we're there. Having kids who KNOW there's no use whining and pleading for a new toy everytime we set foot in a store helps immensly!
I store all my toy deals that i've bought from yard sales, happy meals, thrift stores, dollar stores etc... in a large rubermaid container. That way every time my kids receive birthday party invites, relative parties, Holliday parties etc...i have a gift already. This saves me from having fried nerves trying to find a present at the last minute and most important...i save up to 90% off retail. i use sunday funnies when i run out of wrapping papper, decorated with new happy meal toys, etc...I stock up on after Christmas sales for the entire year of gift giveing!!!
I load up on black friday. I check the various deal sites across the web whenever something pops up that my son may like or something he collects I purchase and save it for the next holiday coming up. We also go to garage sales now. Get alot of toys about 95% off retail, half of them are brand new in package, but it may be last year's toy.
I have realized I hate the present job I have is awful. Sometimes, my boss makes me feel truly horrible. She knows I hate it there and have no option to leave. Therefore she gives me menial tasks but demand perfection. Any little thing like taking lunch 10 minutes later than I was supposed to gives the opportunity to lash out.
Anyway, the only reasons I stay. Well, the contract gives me access to free tuition to the university. So, I'm taking my Masters courses in Computer Science to be a developer. I get a good health insurance deal, with routine dental. That's pretty good. Also, I have a child, my wife doesn't work and I gotta feed her parents too.
So I really feel miserable about being stuck. My boss knows this too so she doesn't give me any work. God forbid I do something good and deserve respect or accolades.
Ironically, I use my hatred for this lady that's my boss as motivation. I've never studied harder or worked (side jobs) so arduously in my life! I think that's good for something.
Consignment shops, garage sales, thrift stores, sales + coupons. And when the kids are old enough, they'll have an allowance to prioritize and buy their own "I wants".
I look on CL, clearance items or wait until gift giving times and let relatives know what the kids have been asking for. We have been teaching our 4yr old son & 2 yr old daughter that getting new toys is a special event & to appreciate/play with the toys they have. My son also has realized that if he donates his used/no longer playing with toys to my yard sales that he can get one new toy (within reason).
This list is great. Especially numbers 4, 7 and 9. And 1 (I clicked the link and watching the 007 scene gave me chills all over again. Thanks for sharing.
I use a variety of methods:
1.) Buy toys that will last. I mean that are both quality products and will keep them entertained for a long time. Although they might cost more this way, you'll get a bigger bang for your buck.
2.) Snag a good sale on discount sites or Amazon deals or that I see on Slickdeals.
3.) Shop Target's semi-annual toy sale. It's coming up soon and I stock up for future birthday parties and store them in a gift closet until them. I rarely am met with a birthday party invite that I don't already have a toy in that closet for.
If the kids are yOung enough, you can recycle the stash. My daughter was gifted so many toys. We'd put some away for a few months and bring them out as new again.
Here's something I did that still has an impact on rut/gloomy days. In a very small font, I made a bulleted list of all the greatest and happiest moments in my life. (About 50 or 60 in total.) I printed it out double-sided on paper a little smaller than the size of a postcard. I had it laminated. Folded in half, I carry it my inside coat pocket. (It takes up very little space.) On gloomy/depressing days (especially in mid-winter), I close my eyes, pull it out, open my eyes, and randomly read one bulleted event. It instantly changes my mood from bad to good as a flood of memories come rushing back. Try it! You'll find your mind has a hard time concentrating on the negative around you when it's busy remembering the spectacular. Your body also begins to feel as good as it did in that special moment as well.
I would like to try almost everything in this list, but I think I'd start with #2 first. I've actually been meaning to do this to put them in picture frames, but I'm really busy most days.
When the kids were young we would buy used toys/books at tag sales and such. Now my siblings are going to come and "shop" through the stuff our now teens no longer use so that they can give them to their young children.
Amusing in a warped kind of way to see this.
I am writing from the UK and exactly the same scam is being attempted, with the same attempt to transfer responsibility to the punter to stop the texts. In fact, some operators in the UK even say "prove you did NOT agree to remove these chargeable texts" - as if you could prove a negative.
There is a small claims court procedure in the UK, doesn't need a lawyer + is v low fee. I very much doubt that any network provider could defend their stance. Do you have something similar in the US?
We use hand me downs from friends, yard sales, and 'freecycle' online to find toys for our kids. I also am a big fan of shopping ALL YEAR ROUND for gifts or their birthdays and the holidays....great finds on the clearance rack at Walmart in Jan/Feb especially. If I shop for toys, be they new or used, at great prices all year round, by the time the Holidays roll around we're just about done, only needing to fill in their up-to-the-minute biggest 'wants'. Shopping year round and not being too fussy about some 'new' toys being used helps us really cut down on the expense of toys for our kids.
Also, our kids have been raised to not expect something at the store most of the times we're there. Having kids who KNOW there's no use whining and pleading for a new toy everytime we set foot in a store helps immensly!
I store all my toy deals that i've bought from yard sales, happy meals, thrift stores, dollar stores etc... in a large rubermaid container. That way every time my kids receive birthday party invites, relative parties, Holliday parties etc...i have a gift already. This saves me from having fried nerves trying to find a present at the last minute and most important...i save up to 90% off retail. i use sunday funnies when i run out of wrapping papper, decorated with new happy meal toys, etc...I stock up on after Christmas sales for the entire year of gift giveing!!!
I load up on black friday. I check the various deal sites across the web whenever something pops up that my son may like or something he collects I purchase and save it for the next holiday coming up. We also go to garage sales now. Get alot of toys about 95% off retail, half of them are brand new in package, but it may be last year's toy.
I have realized I hate the present job I have is awful. Sometimes, my boss makes me feel truly horrible. She knows I hate it there and have no option to leave. Therefore she gives me menial tasks but demand perfection. Any little thing like taking lunch 10 minutes later than I was supposed to gives the opportunity to lash out.
Anyway, the only reasons I stay. Well, the contract gives me access to free tuition to the university. So, I'm taking my Masters courses in Computer Science to be a developer. I get a good health insurance deal, with routine dental. That's pretty good. Also, I have a child, my wife doesn't work and I gotta feed her parents too.
So I really feel miserable about being stuck. My boss knows this too so she doesn't give me any work. God forbid I do something good and deserve respect or accolades.
Ironically, I use my hatred for this lady that's my boss as motivation. I've never studied harder or worked (side jobs) so arduously in my life! I think that's good for something.
Taking it day by day...
https://twitter.com/elliebunny24/status/217703083571036160
I follow on facebook
yard sales are a great source for inexpensive toys
Clearance and buying ahead if there are crazy low prices. Using swagbucks giftcards to buy from Amazon.
Consignment shops, garage sales, thrift stores, sales + coupons. And when the kids are old enough, they'll have an allowance to prioritize and buy their own "I wants".
I look on CL, clearance items or wait until gift giving times and let relatives know what the kids have been asking for. We have been teaching our 4yr old son & 2 yr old daughter that getting new toys is a special event & to appreciate/play with the toys they have. My son also has realized that if he donates his used/no longer playing with toys to my yard sales that he can get one new toy (within reason).
This list is great. Especially numbers 4, 7 and 9. And 1 (I clicked the link and watching the 007 scene gave me chills all over again. Thanks for sharing.
I love #21. I have years of recipes bookmarked on Delicious, and I probably haven't even tried 1/4 of them.
I use a variety of methods:
1.) Buy toys that will last. I mean that are both quality products and will keep them entertained for a long time. Although they might cost more this way, you'll get a bigger bang for your buck.
2.) Snag a good sale on discount sites or Amazon deals or that I see on Slickdeals.
3.) Shop Target's semi-annual toy sale. It's coming up soon and I stock up for future birthday parties and store them in a gift closet until them. I rarely am met with a birthday party invite that I don't already have a toy in that closet for.
Responded on Twitter. https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/1bets1/status/217669672554872832
I liked yoU and the post on Facebook.
If the kids are yOung enough, you can recycle the stash. My daughter was gifted so many toys. We'd put some away for a few months and bring them out as new again.
We have a huge church community and lots of moms and generous hearts...i always ask around...shamelessly...:)
https://twitter.com/missluckybreaks/status/217658156694773761
Liked you on FB!
I often use Retailmenot.com to search for online coupons, since I do most of my shopping online. I tend to browse Amazon.com for toys as well!
Here's something I did that still has an impact on rut/gloomy days. In a very small font, I made a bulleted list of all the greatest and happiest moments in my life. (About 50 or 60 in total.) I printed it out double-sided on paper a little smaller than the size of a postcard. I had it laminated. Folded in half, I carry it my inside coat pocket. (It takes up very little space.) On gloomy/depressing days (especially in mid-winter), I close my eyes, pull it out, open my eyes, and randomly read one bulleted event. It instantly changes my mood from bad to good as a flood of memories come rushing back. Try it! You'll find your mind has a hard time concentrating on the negative around you when it's busy remembering the spectacular. Your body also begins to feel as good as it did in that special moment as well.
I would like to try almost everything in this list, but I think I'd start with #2 first. I've actually been meaning to do this to put them in picture frames, but I'm really busy most days.
Garage sales and thrift stores.
I also have a wishlist on Amazon and then use camelcamelcamel.com to get notified when the price of the item decreases.
When the kids were young we would buy used toys/books at tag sales and such. Now my siblings are going to come and "shop" through the stuff our now teens no longer use so that they can give them to their young children.