Archive for the ‘The finance dance’ Category
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
A few weeks ago at work, I had a visit from a gentleman that I knew…….not real well, but I had helped him numerous times fill out paperwork and apply for some government programs.
He was not a senior, but was disabled, mentally challenged and not really able to hold a job. I knew from filling out forms that “Joe” did not have very much money. He was usually unkempt, dirty, and his clothes never seemed to fit. He was one of the ones I actually wondered how he managed to live on such a small income from Social Security Disability.
I figured Joe needed my help with something, so I was really taken back when he sheepishly asked to borrow $20.00…………
My immediate thought was to say no. I really didn’t want to start something I would be sorry for………
Joe promised to pay me back, and looking at his hunched beaten demeanor, against my better judgement, I said yes. His face immediately lit up …..all the time swearing he would pay me back.
I handed him the $20.00 bill, knowing full well I would never see it again. A co-worker was in my office shaking her head and telling me I was nuts.
Today as I was typing away at the computer, I looked up to see Joe. I cringed…….’here we go’, I thought, ‘he probably needs more money?’
He handed me a crisp new $20.00 bill. “It’s payday, and I promised I would pay you back” he proudly announced.
All I could do was smile……….my faith in mankind somehow always has a way of getting restored…………
.
Posted in It's all good, Take a peek at me, The finance dance | 22 Comments »
Monday, April 13th, 2009
I love HGTV.
I follow it religiously.
But………………I really, really, have to ask ………….
When they do a home makeover with only $2,000……..
WHERE do they find granite countertop for $50?
WHERE do they find window treatments for $25?…………oh and we decided to do every window in the house, so that brought the cost up to $35.
WHERE do they find laminate flooring for the living room, and 3 bedrooms for $100?
WHERE do they find a complete set of living room furniture along with toss pillows, lamps and accessories for $200?
WHERE do they find paint to paint a whole house, oh and the garage, too because it could use some sprucing up for $30?
I KNOW it’s not where I live.
Trust me…………I am ready to remortgage my house after buying comforters and window treatments for ONLY two rooms!
You know what…………………….?
I think they lie…………………….
Posted in Take a peek at me, The finance dance | 8 Comments »
Monday, March 2nd, 2009
Packing up my records for last year, I realized that a 6″ stack of papers rubberbanded together represents a snapshot of my whole life in 2008.
Holy mother of debt! how could this have cost me almost every cent I earned?
Let’s see what’s in one year of Zelzee’s life:
AIG/VALIC
My retirement account………………..WHAT retirement account? At this rate I will never be able to retire……….I’ll be working until I drop dead in my office and they drag me out by my feet………………..I can only hope I wear pants to work that day.
CREDIT CARDS
Used ONLY to purchase necessities……….HONEST………..like those cute little jeans I don’t fit into anymore, and of course the darling little tops to wear when I go out…………….oh right, I can’t afford to go out.
HEATING BILLS
Heat? Heat? My house is sooooooo cold that my butt freezes to the toilet seat……………..gotta remember NOT to lick the toilet seat!!
ELECTRIC BILLS
I like to refer to my lighting habit as “Mood Enhancement”. Anyway, I noticed when you have the lights turned on full power, you get to see all those piles of dust! Enough of that………………light off…………
CAR PAYMENT
Color me spoiled……………..walk the one mile to work?…………I don’t think so!
MORTGAGE
Let’s see………………….I pay ALOT of money to the bank, so I can mow, weed, landscape, water, paint, shovel snow, wash windows, perform maid service, trim trees, replace the roof, and caulk anything I can find………………..hungry, hungry house!
GARBAGE COLLECTION
Well, I don’t want it anymore.
CABLE TV
This is a MUST HAVE! I am totally hooked on reality tv, but I would rather tap dance on a bald head before I will admit it.
CELL PHONE
Cell phones are God’s way of reminding me I’m old! What ARE some of these features on my phone?
- “digital dial readout” ……..A bar of soap that talks to you in the shower?
- “tools on the go” ………A jetsetting toolbox?
And where is the “Senior” dial pad? did I miss that option somewhere along the way?
Zelzee’s year was very, very expensive.
The 6″ stack of papers told me so.
Posted in The finance dance | No Comments »
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