Finally Friday chat

DS has come around to my reasoning re: pay the IRS now, before it gets out of control.

My TMJ is really bothering me today.

I'm up to my eyeballs in work, so off I go.

ETA: I learned this morning that there is a Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan, MN.  I think that's darn near the funniest street name I've seen in a while. 

 The Pats play so good in the cold snowy weather... going to be 28 Sunday for the game!!

Good luck with the job.

 Tina, paying the IRS is always advisable. Glenda, fingers crossed for you!

I cannot wait 'til quitting time today. I have a hair appointment tonight and then tomorrow off to visit with friends for the weekend. This week has felt excruciatingly long. 

Did anyone hear about the new horoscope and "new" sign. I don't buy into any of that, but I've gotten a good chuckle out of people getting concerned that their sign has changed. 

Yeah, the new horoscope thing is a bit silly, from what I hear it's only for people born after 2000 or something like that so most people don't have to worry about it.  I'll read my horoscope for a good laugh every now and then.

Tax time is creeping up, hope my returns look good this year.  I would really like to pay off my medical bill so I could cross that one off my list of bills.

Xebby, I agree - 1) kind of silly, 2) most people don't need to worry. Also, out of curiosity, I looked up "love matches" for combos with BF and my astrological signs. They were soooooooooo way off the mark it was ridiculous!

I have a statistics final due today (think the worst homework assignment EVER, except that we do get to talk to each other about results, so I can't complain too much. though I've already spent 20+ hours working on it!). Looking forward to that being over, and also, going to see BF on Monday!!!

This week has dragged by.  I am so glad its Friday.  Payday today and literally it is gone in a blink of an eye as I paid bills this week.  Well not completely since 1/2 went to savings.  Makes you wonder at what point do you get to start spending that savings.  Seriously we live very conservatively albeit on one salary (bring my lunch, non-newer cars, smallish house, cut coupons, eat at home all but 2 nights a month). 

It just seems we never have the cushion all of my friends do (or at least make it appear like they do).  I make a pretty good salary, but where are they getting the $10/day to eat out everyday and another $40 to eat out at night, the $600 a month for each new car, the gym memberships, etc...  I don't get it.

We have Monday off for Martin Luther King day...last holiday until Good Friday...sigh.

Lisa just remember what Biggy said: Mo' Money, Mo' Problems.

Many live beyond their means are are in debt to their eyeballs...still. In spite of what we all learned during the big faceplant the economy has done.

We typically spend our savings on vacations once a year, this year there's something else in lieu potentially, (whee!) but it's typically used for that. That's apart from the stuff we drop in the bucket for college and retirement. I am glad I married a Banker is all I have to say...he knows how to make it all work. I'd be in a mire of debt and doing god knows what to pay it off without him...LOL! Okay it's not that bad. I do have money sense...but I do like "havin' thangs".

mrstjohnson

It just seems we never have the cushion all of my friends do (or at least make it appear like they do).  I make a pretty good salary, but where are they getting the $10/day to eat out everyday and another $40 to eat out at night, the $600 a month for each new car, the gym memberships, etc...  I don't get it.

And it's those sorts of people who complain the loudest that they "can't afford" thanksgiving so mommy gives them money, or they "can't afford" gas money to go visit someone or whatever.  That's when it really bugs me since it's not that they couldn't afford it, it's that they choose to spend their money on things such as take out every day rather than something else.  So don't complain.  I don't want to hear you say you have to eat Ramen noodles for a week in one breath and talk about your new fancy purse or shoe in the next -- how you spend your money is totally up to you, but I have little sympathy then. 

Kudos to you guys for making it on one salary, though.  Neither of us make enough where regardless of the scrimping that we could make that work since we already live fairly frugally.  I'm terrified of daycare costs when we have kids but yet we couldn't lose one salary even if half will go directly to daycare.  Neither of our jobs cost us much in terms of dress clothes or commuting costs, etc so no extra there either.....

NicoleS

I'm terrified of daycare costs when we have kids but yet we couldn't lose one salary even if half will go directly to daycare.  Neither of our jobs cost us much in terms of dress clothes or commuting costs, etc so no extra there either.....

You could always move someplace where the cost of living is cheaper. I am not sure what the median home prices are over your way, I know they're cheap where Lisa is because MI in general is a bit low right now most places. But I honestly do not see how people in Cali for example...even can afford a child. EVERYTHING is ridiculous price wise there...they say "you make more" but only for some jobs. I know when I moved out here I made close to the same for a retail job..so meh.

But there's always trade offs. The houses are cheap here in my area but the property taxes are quite high, but then...there's no state income tax...so there's always something to consider.

I know when we first started out on the "one salary" thing...it was NOT easy. Lily and Elias were both here then....and really daycare was not going to be financially feasible since I was working a retail job and only part time at that. But as the hubs got a bit more educated (did his MBA) while I worked and then he advanced in his job...things got easier and easier. So that's something else to consider doing...getting another certification or degree in your field, and then moving up the job ladder and salary ladder that way while the other person maybe holds steady with the intention of going part time and then perhaps even quitting altogether once kids arrive on scene.

We all have our little luxuries...heck internet is a luxury, Netflix, cable, etc...many of these things I find I need to be happy and we could potentially save  LOTS monthly doing away with them...but what would we do then? I admit fully to myself that for me, they are things I require to be happy in life, just like my pets...which are also, a luxury, IMO...and what I do with my pets (showing). But if you need something to be a happy person and would be miserable sans...it really is not so much a luxury at that point, but a necessity.

Money is such a complicated issue...especially once it's not just yourself to consider.

rwbeagles

Money is such a complicated issue...especially once it's not just yourself to consider.

You got it!

We're both engineers so you would think we would have great salaries but we both work in academics so in reality it's half or less of what a "typical" engineer would make.  I just got my Master's in Dec so I've been looking and there is potential there but no bites yet.  DH *loves* his job so regardless he is quite content to stay there.  But this job affords me a lot of flexibilty along with the headaches so again, more tradeoffs.  That's all it ever is, trade one thing for another, just as you said.  You are so wise, oh Great One. *bows*

Cost of living is reasonable here, IMO, but we moved into a pretty good school district so our property taxes are more.  But you're right, I have NO IDEA how those in Cali and such or NYC or Boston survive either with such crazy high prices for things...  

NicoleS

Cost of living is reasonable here, IMO, but we moved into a pretty good school district so our property taxes are more.  But you're right, I have NO IDEA how those in Cali and such or NYC or Boston survive either with such crazy high prices for things...  

My Mom moved out here years ago...at my urging...and now she kind of pines for California and such and says she might move back in a couple of years, etc.

I haven't said anything to her but I am thinking "why? you are simply going to be back here when you get to the point where you need help because you are getting older. There is NO ONE to help you out there, your own Mom who will be older than you....your daughter working 3 jobs JUST to live in someone elses house and never saving anything, etc". People are just not able to be realistic. She would just be back here...because we are the only ones mentally and financially able to care for her in her retirement years. But what can I say to her? Nothing. She's an adult and she thinks she'll be happy there, and she would be...until it was time to pay the piper.

Morning all,  today will be a bit different.  We are have an employee luncheon to celebrate a long time co-worker's retirement.  Will close the doors for a whole hour, lol!

It seems like a heat wave here.  It was 25 degrees at 5:30 a.m. and it's supposed to be 40 by this afternoon.

Just had one of the girls read about "Pole Dancing lessons" at a studio about 20 min from here.  I have always wanted to try that, lol!  I am serious and they are talking about all of us trying it out, I think I will prolly be the only one that does.

Better run..lots to do before lunch.

NicoleS

But you're right, I have NO IDEA how those in Cali and such or NYC or Boston survive either with such crazy high prices for things...  

I know this is true and yet neither DH or I make a boatload of money and we've managed to do just fine. We live in one of the nicest areas around here but in one of the smallest houses and are fortunately not upside down with our mortgage. I do see an awful lot of people who seem to be living beyond their means though. My SIL and her family are still renting not far from us and they've been in that house for over 10 yrs. I know the rent must be astronomical but I don't think they can manage to save for a downpayment on a similar house and they don't want to compromise and buy something less humongous. Owning a home, well kind of owning it, was a dream of mine but I had reasonable expectations and didn't need or want a mcmansion. My biggest concern regarding finances these days is the cost of health care in retirement. If you listen to the experts, it'll scare the bejeezus out of you.

Whew - glad this week is coming to an end and we have a 3 day weekend. It is supposed to be sunny and 60ish, so that'll feel like spring after the cold, dreary days we've had lately.

Glenda - I really hope you hear some good news on the job today.

shadowsgin

Just had one of the girls read about "Pole Dancing lessons" at a studio about 20 min from here.  I have always wanted to try that, lol!  I am serious and they are talking about all of us trying it out, I think I will prolly be the only one that does.

Oh do try it out and let us know your thoughts. That sounds fun LOL! That and Belly Dancing have always held interest for me.