I'm So. Over. Working.
Really.
Truly.
I don't like it.
Sigh. Too bad our society still uses that pesky thing called money.
This isn't how it was supposed to go, you know. After graduating with my double degrees from the university of my dreams, it was all going to be awesome. A job I loved, a paycheck I loved, an area I loved- no worries.
Instead, what happened? It was hard to find work. I was stuck in a job I despised, but that loved me- with opportunity to advance. We moved to a place with no employment, unless you happened to be Bubba's third cousin twice removed. No jobs for outsiders, you know. The economy collapsed. Jobs shriveled up. It became a "take what you can get, because it's the only game in town" world.
So I eked out money with my crappy retail job, while Tim was paid bare minimum in a place we hated with people that hated us.
Then we got to move again. Back to an area I loved. Surely back near a large city there would be jobs! I was back in the area I grew up in. My turf. Try to stop me now. Sure, there were setbacks, but I was home. The economy would start picking up any time now.
Yeah.
So here I am again. I'm lucky I have a job, I really am. The first few months I was worried. The only jobs I could find were second-shift mill jobs or fast food jobs. I'm not a snob- ok maybe I am. I don't want to work at McDonalds. I don't want to work a second-shift mill job. My parents and my grandparents busted their butts doing things like that so I don't have to. That's the true American Dream. Work hard at a job that is better than your parents had, so your kids can have better than you. I'm not disparaging anyone. I'm just being honest. No one dreams as a small child, "I want to work for barely minimum wage."
Anyway. So this job opened up. It seemed like a miracle. It was part time, but pays a good bit above minimum wage. It seemed pretty low-stress and while it wasn't my dream job, it was a job.
It sucks. Not only do I not have enough to do, none of what I do is important. I get some compliments, which is nice, but I don't think they half pay attention to things I try to improve. In fact, I mostly only hear from people because something wasn't done instantly. Lord forbid I forget something, when it's something that you should really be doing yourself in the first place.
So, I coupon like crazy and do my online surveys (which I am doing simultaneously as I blog) to supplement my income so that we can pay off debt quicker and begin saving to become rich. Ha. Rich.
Regardless, I'm so "over" working. What would you do if you hit the lottery and hit it big? Let's say 30 million bucks in your pocket, after taxes. I've got a plan and I'll post it in a day or two.
Now I just need to get out there and start buying tickets.
-Kristen
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Thanksgiving- the condensed version
Hooray, Hooray! Thanksgiving is over.
I know it's bad to feel that way, but there is always plenty of stress to go around and despite the entire day being much less annoying than I had anticipated, there still were a few hiccups.
We headed out to my mom's for lunch- which started 30 minutes late because my Maw-Maw will be late for her own funeral. To her credit, she did manage to get there before my brother though. I was "adopted" by my Mom's-Husband's-Son's- 2 year old daughter Hayden. After 20 minutes of peeking at me and staring at me from around my mom, I finally just said "What!" This is apparently how you make a 2-year old your bestie. After that I had to push her on the swing outside for a good 15 minutes, which apparently just does not happen. Only my mom is ever allowed to push her on the swing. Following that, I had to carry her around the house, except the brief period of time when I convinced her to go play with her Dad's girlfriend's daughter (who's name escapes me). She is a funny kid- she was climbing up me trying to get a hat (which Tim had tossed on her head and she threw back at him). I knocked it off the back of the couch by accident, exclaiming "Oh Crap." Immediately she hollers "OH CRAP!" It simultaneously cracked me up and made me feel bad that I had probably introduced a new word in to her vocabulary.
We left my mom's early. I took a plate of food to my Dad, who I knew hadn't eaten yet (even though it was 3:30) and we sat around just enjoying each other's company until it was time to head to his side of the family's event. It went off pretty well, mainly because the younger cousins all stayed in the backroom and weren't underfoot. Since my Aunt Teena has a small baby, she won't allow my Maw-Maw to smoke when the baby is there, so we only had to deal with two cigarettes as well (prior to the baby arriving).
The biggest headache of the day came when my Maw-Maw gave Tim her dachshund because "No one takes care of it". She's supposed to belong to one of my younger cousins, but the dog is covered in fleas, my Maw-Maw can't take care of her, the cousin doesn't want her, etc. etc. As we were walking out of the door with the dog, WWIII started as my aunt Teena got annoyed, the cousins were screaming "They are taking your dog! They are taking Rosie!" and the cousin in question had to be called for 15 minutes before she finally slunk in the living room with a half-hearted "Yeah. I want her." It was ridiculous, because my grandmother had used Tim's good-hearted nature (he felt bad for the dog, we didn't want her) to try to make it in to this "Well then you better take care of her or she will really be given away" life-lesson. Oh I was MAD.
At least Thanksgiving is over! I won't see my Maw-Maw or that side of the family other than my dad again until next year since their Christmas Party is always on Christmas Eve and Tim has a church service.
-Kristen
I know it's bad to feel that way, but there is always plenty of stress to go around and despite the entire day being much less annoying than I had anticipated, there still were a few hiccups.
We headed out to my mom's for lunch- which started 30 minutes late because my Maw-Maw will be late for her own funeral. To her credit, she did manage to get there before my brother though. I was "adopted" by my Mom's-Husband's-Son's- 2 year old daughter Hayden. After 20 minutes of peeking at me and staring at me from around my mom, I finally just said "What!" This is apparently how you make a 2-year old your bestie. After that I had to push her on the swing outside for a good 15 minutes, which apparently just does not happen. Only my mom is ever allowed to push her on the swing. Following that, I had to carry her around the house, except the brief period of time when I convinced her to go play with her Dad's girlfriend's daughter (who's name escapes me). She is a funny kid- she was climbing up me trying to get a hat (which Tim had tossed on her head and she threw back at him). I knocked it off the back of the couch by accident, exclaiming "Oh Crap." Immediately she hollers "OH CRAP!" It simultaneously cracked me up and made me feel bad that I had probably introduced a new word in to her vocabulary.
We left my mom's early. I took a plate of food to my Dad, who I knew hadn't eaten yet (even though it was 3:30) and we sat around just enjoying each other's company until it was time to head to his side of the family's event. It went off pretty well, mainly because the younger cousins all stayed in the backroom and weren't underfoot. Since my Aunt Teena has a small baby, she won't allow my Maw-Maw to smoke when the baby is there, so we only had to deal with two cigarettes as well (prior to the baby arriving).
The biggest headache of the day came when my Maw-Maw gave Tim her dachshund because "No one takes care of it". She's supposed to belong to one of my younger cousins, but the dog is covered in fleas, my Maw-Maw can't take care of her, the cousin doesn't want her, etc. etc. As we were walking out of the door with the dog, WWIII started as my aunt Teena got annoyed, the cousins were screaming "They are taking your dog! They are taking Rosie!" and the cousin in question had to be called for 15 minutes before she finally slunk in the living room with a half-hearted "Yeah. I want her." It was ridiculous, because my grandmother had used Tim's good-hearted nature (he felt bad for the dog, we didn't want her) to try to make it in to this "Well then you better take care of her or she will really be given away" life-lesson. Oh I was MAD.
At least Thanksgiving is over! I won't see my Maw-Maw or that side of the family other than my dad again until next year since their Christmas Party is always on Christmas Eve and Tim has a church service.
-Kristen
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Exhausted
I am so tired. I need to do a Thanksgiving post, a black friday post, a second Thanksgiving post, a car post, a dog post-
but definitely not tonight!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving!
-Kristen
but definitely not tonight!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving!
-Kristen
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
So THAT'S what family is for...
First, a little background.
My brother is nearly 8 years younger than I am, aging in at 19 years old. He went to a one year Auto Diesel School (highly ranked) to work on vehicles, but he went with paint and body work instead of something helpful like engines. Since it was a one year program, he is now out of school and living with my dad.
Thanks to this crappy economy and the fact that North Carolina is having some serious economic struggles, my dad was laid off work and went the full 99 weeks without being able to find employment. He was eventually able to find a very crappy job paying very crappy wages, but it's enough, just barely, to squeak by on.
Fast forward to now. My little brother's car (which he traded in his reliable truck for) is broken down, he doesn't have the money to fix it (despite being employed) and no one can/will co-sign a loan for him. He asks me and I agree, though I told him to wait until after I got back from Indianapolis. I figured that would give him at least another week or two to save money out of his paycheck, minimizing his loan amount. We had quite the conversation about interest rates, interest compounding, saving money, etc. You know me and money.
He hasn't mentioned the loan again and believe me when I say I am not going to beg to help him. Ya know?
Anyway, I find out last night that he has not saved an additional dime towards getting his car fixed and it's been over a month since he asked me for help. Not my business, you are saying? He's an adult, you are saying? No. The moment he asks for my help financially, even just securing a loan, it becomes my business.
Regardless, what irks me the most is he isn't helping my Dad out with bills at all. Not a dime. Oh, he's sure causing the power bill to go up. He's sure hauling his girlfriend around and eating up the food my Dad has in the house. Why in the world should he contribute to the bills? He's not saving to get his car fixed. He is literally blowing every paycheck as soon as he gets his hands on it.
I coupon so hard because I provide certain necessities to my family. I take my dad toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, toilet paper, shampoo- the toiletries necessary. My brother, of course, gets to glom on and use these items. He doesn't even have to spend money on toiletries. Yet he can't find it in his miserly little heart to help out on the bills? He can't pay even a paltry $50 a month to help out his own father? Yes, he knows exactly the financial dire straights my dad is in. In fact, I've turned down Christmas and Birthday gifts from my dad for the past 2 years because I knew he would give even when he couldn't afford to. Greedy guts snatches his up, of course.
I was so mad I could have eaten metal shavings and spit nails when I found out exactly what was going on financially over there. It would be one thing if the boy was desperately saving every penny he could get his hands on to get his car fixed. Instead, he's out living the life, going to movies, out to restaurants, burning up the roads between where he is living and his girlfriend's house (in my old car, I might add). Meanwhile, my dad sits at home and sometimes makes it to work only on a prayer and thanks to the fumes in the gas tank.
I guess this is what family is for- to mooch off of, to treat them like slaves and to only take, take, take, without giving anything back. My brother was going to move to Florida and move in with a friend of his and his family, pay them $350 in rent per month and yet he can't give a single red cent to his own flesh and blood who is struggling, partially because of the financial burden he's helping to create by causing the bills to go up.
Looks like we're going to have to sit down for a little "Come to Jesus" talk. If you aren't familiar with that term, don't think for an instant it means a sweet, polite discussion.
-Kristen
My brother is nearly 8 years younger than I am, aging in at 19 years old. He went to a one year Auto Diesel School (highly ranked) to work on vehicles, but he went with paint and body work instead of something helpful like engines. Since it was a one year program, he is now out of school and living with my dad.
Thanks to this crappy economy and the fact that North Carolina is having some serious economic struggles, my dad was laid off work and went the full 99 weeks without being able to find employment. He was eventually able to find a very crappy job paying very crappy wages, but it's enough, just barely, to squeak by on.
Fast forward to now. My little brother's car (which he traded in his reliable truck for) is broken down, he doesn't have the money to fix it (despite being employed) and no one can/will co-sign a loan for him. He asks me and I agree, though I told him to wait until after I got back from Indianapolis. I figured that would give him at least another week or two to save money out of his paycheck, minimizing his loan amount. We had quite the conversation about interest rates, interest compounding, saving money, etc. You know me and money.
He hasn't mentioned the loan again and believe me when I say I am not going to beg to help him. Ya know?
Anyway, I find out last night that he has not saved an additional dime towards getting his car fixed and it's been over a month since he asked me for help. Not my business, you are saying? He's an adult, you are saying? No. The moment he asks for my help financially, even just securing a loan, it becomes my business.
Regardless, what irks me the most is he isn't helping my Dad out with bills at all. Not a dime. Oh, he's sure causing the power bill to go up. He's sure hauling his girlfriend around and eating up the food my Dad has in the house. Why in the world should he contribute to the bills? He's not saving to get his car fixed. He is literally blowing every paycheck as soon as he gets his hands on it.
I coupon so hard because I provide certain necessities to my family. I take my dad toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, toilet paper, shampoo- the toiletries necessary. My brother, of course, gets to glom on and use these items. He doesn't even have to spend money on toiletries. Yet he can't find it in his miserly little heart to help out on the bills? He can't pay even a paltry $50 a month to help out his own father? Yes, he knows exactly the financial dire straights my dad is in. In fact, I've turned down Christmas and Birthday gifts from my dad for the past 2 years because I knew he would give even when he couldn't afford to. Greedy guts snatches his up, of course.
I was so mad I could have eaten metal shavings and spit nails when I found out exactly what was going on financially over there. It would be one thing if the boy was desperately saving every penny he could get his hands on to get his car fixed. Instead, he's out living the life, going to movies, out to restaurants, burning up the roads between where he is living and his girlfriend's house (in my old car, I might add). Meanwhile, my dad sits at home and sometimes makes it to work only on a prayer and thanks to the fumes in the gas tank.
I guess this is what family is for- to mooch off of, to treat them like slaves and to only take, take, take, without giving anything back. My brother was going to move to Florida and move in with a friend of his and his family, pay them $350 in rent per month and yet he can't give a single red cent to his own flesh and blood who is struggling, partially because of the financial burden he's helping to create by causing the bills to go up.
Looks like we're going to have to sit down for a little "Come to Jesus" talk. If you aren't familiar with that term, don't think for an instant it means a sweet, polite discussion.
-Kristen
Monday, November 21, 2011
Regifting
As the holiday season approaches, we reach the sticky subject of Regifting.
Is it right, is it wrong? Let's see.
NEVER EVER EVER regift something that has been used or opened. I'm sorry, that's tacky. Would you give someone a cookie with a big bite taken out of it? No. Or if you would, please don't ever give me a gift lol.
Don't regift crappy gifts. Wait, I know, that's generally WHY we regift, but if YOU don't want that sweater with the sequined puppies on it, obviously no one else will either. Donate it to a charity or take it back to the store if you can't bring yourself to keep it.
If you DO regift, try to do it for a separate group of friends. If your usual group consists of you, Friend A and Friend B, don't take A's gift and give it to B. Chances are, A is gonna see it and recognize it- or else, you'll have to lie about it and that's never good.
What if someone gives me a coffee maker? I don't like coffee, I don't drink it and I never make it. As long as I don't open the box, this is a gift that could easily go to someone else- perhaps someone that DOES drink coffee. Of course, I could also just return it to the store (if I have a reasonable idea where it comes from).
So, in short, I'm ok with regifting, if done properly. Make sure it's a clean, unused item that actually fits the person or is something you genuinely think they'll enjoy. If you really hate the item, take it back to the store or give it to charity. There is always the yard sale option.
-Kristen
Is it right, is it wrong? Let's see.
NEVER EVER EVER regift something that has been used or opened. I'm sorry, that's tacky. Would you give someone a cookie with a big bite taken out of it? No. Or if you would, please don't ever give me a gift lol.
Don't regift crappy gifts. Wait, I know, that's generally WHY we regift, but if YOU don't want that sweater with the sequined puppies on it, obviously no one else will either. Donate it to a charity or take it back to the store if you can't bring yourself to keep it.
If you DO regift, try to do it for a separate group of friends. If your usual group consists of you, Friend A and Friend B, don't take A's gift and give it to B. Chances are, A is gonna see it and recognize it- or else, you'll have to lie about it and that's never good.
What if someone gives me a coffee maker? I don't like coffee, I don't drink it and I never make it. As long as I don't open the box, this is a gift that could easily go to someone else- perhaps someone that DOES drink coffee. Of course, I could also just return it to the store (if I have a reasonable idea where it comes from).
So, in short, I'm ok with regifting, if done properly. Make sure it's a clean, unused item that actually fits the person or is something you genuinely think they'll enjoy. If you really hate the item, take it back to the store or give it to charity. There is always the yard sale option.
-Kristen
Friday, November 18, 2011
Coupon-Stravaganza
I got a letter in the mail from Purina today, sending my "prizes" from when I spent every day at 11am competing against other people for one of 1,000 coupons on their dog and cat website.
What did I get?
FREE 3.5lb bag of Purina One Cat Food
FREE 4lb bag of Purina One Dog Food
FREE (1) Purina Beneful Dog Food Prepared Meals
FREE (2) trays of Fancy Feast Appetizers for Cats
FREE (2) cans of Friskies Tasty Treasures Canned Cat Food
FREE 6lb bag of Purina Cat chow
FREE (2) cans of Purina ONE Wholesome Entrees Dog Food
FREE 3.15lb bag of Friskies Cat Food
FREE 1 package of Purina Busy HeartyHide chew treat
FREE 14lb jug of Tidy Cats
FREE (2) cans of Alpo Dog Food
FREE (2) cans of Friskies Tasty Treasures Canned Cat Food
FREE (1) can of Purina ONE cat food
FREE (1) 10 oz. package of Purina T-bonz dog snack
FREE 6lb bag of Purina Cat chow
FREE 7lb bag of Purina Beneful dog food
FREE 1 3.5 oz. package of Busy brand Chew Treat
FREE 3.15lb bag of Friskies Cat Food
OH yes, I made out like a bandit. All I had to do was remember each day at 11:00am to refresh the Purina Cares page, type in my info and hit submit. That's literally all I did. Now I'm going to reap the benefits in the form of a lot of free pet food and treats. It took me less than 5 minutes each day.
Now who doesn't have the time to coupon?
-Kristen
What did I get?
FREE 3.5lb bag of Purina One Cat Food
FREE 4lb bag of Purina One Dog Food
FREE (1) Purina Beneful Dog Food Prepared Meals
FREE (2) trays of Fancy Feast Appetizers for Cats
FREE (2) cans of Friskies Tasty Treasures Canned Cat Food
FREE 6lb bag of Purina Cat chow
FREE (2) cans of Purina ONE Wholesome Entrees Dog Food
FREE 3.15lb bag of Friskies Cat Food
FREE 1 package of Purina Busy HeartyHide chew treat
FREE 14lb jug of Tidy Cats
FREE (2) cans of Alpo Dog Food
FREE (2) cans of Friskies Tasty Treasures Canned Cat Food
FREE (1) can of Purina ONE cat food
FREE (1) 10 oz. package of Purina T-bonz dog snack
FREE 6lb bag of Purina Cat chow
FREE 7lb bag of Purina Beneful dog food
FREE 1 3.5 oz. package of Busy brand Chew Treat
FREE 3.15lb bag of Friskies Cat Food
OH yes, I made out like a bandit. All I had to do was remember each day at 11:00am to refresh the Purina Cares page, type in my info and hit submit. That's literally all I did. Now I'm going to reap the benefits in the form of a lot of free pet food and treats. It took me less than 5 minutes each day.
Now who doesn't have the time to coupon?
-Kristen
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Using it all- Apples!
I'm a baking fiend lately. Mainly because my boss gave me yet another bag of apples and I don't want them to go bad. Above is pictured an apple pie I made- it cost very little to make, even though I splurged and purchased a crust instead of doing a homemade one this time. Making your own apple pie is SO MUCH CHEAPER than buying one- I promise I don't have $8-$10 worth of ingredients in this!
I'm also making some apple butter. This can be refrigerated for up to 6 weeks, then frozen for longer storage. It can also be canned. This makes a fantastic gift and I'll be sharing the recipe soon- it's super easy to make and tastes great!
Uh oh- I still have apples left! Did you know apples can be frozen? So don't worry if you buy a bag and know you won't make enough recipes to use the bag! Freezing apples now is a great way to take advantage of their current low low prices!
Look for the apple butter and apple pie recipes soon.
I keep the peels to the apples in the freezer and I bring them out as treats for the rabbits, a few pieces at a time. They really appreciate the little something special. Even our dogs will eat small pieces of apple.
-Kristen
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