Stealing my election yard sign doesn't stop my free speech, it just means I'm going to donate another $25 to the campaign for a new sign. Every. Time.
Oh, and the next sign will be coated in Vaseline and glitter...
Stealing my election yard sign doesn't stop my free speech, it just means I'm going to donate another $25 to the campaign for a new sign. Every. Time.
Oh, and the next sign will be coated in Vaseline and glitter...
Uh, when did White Castle stop being open 24x7? I stopped in last night a little after 2300 and the place was dark. What the hell is wrong with these people?
In reply to wae :
There are a few like that now. We were looking forward to stopping leaving the races a few weeks ago and they were shutdown
Stefan (Forum Supporter) said:I'm so tired of being in debt, but there's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's a number 5 train headed to teenage years for our two kids.
Goddammit, I didn't have any debt before I met my wife, I was happily living paycheck to paycheck and messing with cars with the extra money. Sure I may have spent money I shouldn't have on dumbassery, but I always managed to make ends meet and keep a roof over my head.
Now I have a wife, kids, mortgage and mountains of debt. Seriously, how do people live like this? I think bankruptcy is on the horizon for us. We've berkeleyed this into a cocked hat. Time to throw it all away and more or less start over. Unless something changes we're going to continue to tread water.
the worst part? I love them dearly and while sometimes I feel like they'd be better off without me (hello insurance payout), I can't imagine life without them.
Anyone have any side hustle ideas for a reasonably techy and handy GRM'er? I gotta do something with the skills and knowloedge I have (such as it is) to help us.
There are ways out of everything. Sometimes it takes uncomfortable lifestyle changes to make that happen; however, the taking of your life isn't the answer and please if you need someone to talk to, I'm always free.
I was in the same boat, it seemed like there was no end in sight and no way out of the climbing debt. I started selling anything liquid I had that wasn't a necessity. I took a job that required me to travel a lot and be away from the kids (which is the absolute worst part), and started making lifestyle changes that sucked but were the better of my family.
I stopped eating out and started meal prepping.
I started doing Door Dash and Uber Eats after the kids went to bed to pocket some extra cash instead of playing video games.
I stopped with fancy smoothies, coffees, etc and kept to just plain old water.
I stopped with unnecessary purchases. Do I need that TV? No. Do I need that new Forza game? No. Do I really need that new circular saw? Yes - I can make things with it that I can sell on Etsy. Do I need that bag of Doritos? No. I mean just ask yourself what's more important and what's a necessity? Some of the biggest savings I found were in weekly food purchases and misc. BS off Amazon or Home Depot.
Make a plan, make small objectives that lead to the bigger goal, stick with the plan, continue to trim fat, and constantly re-assess things.
I made a spreadsheet with all the accounts of debt I had. Columns for total amount of debt, interests rate, revolving, or fixed. I prioritized paying off the highest interest rate first and concentrated solely on making big payments on that while making the minimum payments on the others. Once that's done, tackle the next highest interest rate, and so on. I was able to eliminate $20k in debt in the first year. I also canceled credit cards that I was frivously spending on - can't keep racking up debt if you have no means to do so.
Wally (Forum Supporter) said:She's really gone. My mother in law came today to help me box up the clothes to donate, pass on her craft stuff, and figure which jewelry goes to which of the girls. Now it's just me, the dog, and the house. In some ways it's a relief to have it done but in other ways it just makes everything so final.
My heart feels for you Wally. I can't imagine going through this - like I just said to Stefan, if you ever need anything, please feel free to reach out.
Stefan (Forum Supporter) said:I'm so tired of being in debt, but there's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's a number 5 train headed to teenage years for our two kids.
[...] sometimes I feel like they'd be better off without me (hello insurance payout),
Just in case those thoughts get a little too much traction: your family won't be better off without you.
If I may ask, is the problem not enough earning, too much spending, or both?
Or was there a catastrophic issue of some kind to cause the debt?
Stefan (Forum Supporter) said:I'm so tired of being in debt, but there's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's a number 5 train headed to teenage years for our two kids.
Goddammit, I didn't have any debt before I met my wife, I was happily living paycheck to paycheck and messing with cars with the extra money. Sure I may have spent money I shouldn't have on dumbassery, but I always managed to make ends meet and keep a roof over my head.
Now I have a wife, kids, mortgage and mountains of debt. Seriously, how do people live like this? I think bankruptcy is on the horizon for us. We've berkeleyed this into a cocked hat. Time to throw it all away and more or less start over. Unless something changes we're going to continue to tread water.
the worst part? I love them dearly and while sometimes I feel like they'd be better off without me (hello insurance payout), I can't imagine life without them.
Anyone have any side hustle ideas for a reasonably techy and handy GRM'er? I gotta do something with the skills and knowloedge I have (such as it is) to help us.
The most important thing, and the very hardest to deal with in some cases: Is your wife onside with this way of thinking? I have maybe seen or been in a situation where any extra just goes to more new shoes...
Streetwiseguy said:Stefan (Forum Supporter) said:I'm so tired of being in debt, but there's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's a number 5 train headed to teenage years for our two kids.
Goddammit, I didn't have any debt before I met my wife, I was happily living paycheck to paycheck and messing with cars with the extra money. Sure I may have spent money I shouldn't have on dumbassery, but I always managed to make ends meet and keep a roof over my head.
Now I have a wife, kids, mortgage and mountains of debt. Seriously, how do people live like this? I think bankruptcy is on the horizon for us. We've berkeleyed this into a cocked hat. Time to throw it all away and more or less start over. Unless something changes we're going to continue to tread water.
the worst part? I love them dearly and while sometimes I feel like they'd be better off without me (hello insurance payout), I can't imagine life without them.
Anyone have any side hustle ideas for a reasonably techy and handy GRM'er? I gotta do something with the skills and knowloedge I have (such as it is) to help us.
The most important thing, and the very hardest to deal with in some cases: Is your wife onside with this way of thinking? I have maybe seen or been in a situation where any extra just goes to more new shoes...
Actually I'm the one spending a bit frivolously at times. Mostly out of boredom and depression. When she spends money its on stuff for the kids or things needed around the house and feels guilty if she buys something for herself. I need to find a better outlet and actually work on getting various projects finished instead of started and set aside.
Her working part-time, basically to afford healthcare for the family, allows her more time with the kids, but it has hurt us financially. When she was temporarily laid off and getting unemployment along with the Federal kicker, things were progressing pretty well since we were visiting the local food banks for food. That didn't last (obviously) and while we're still hitting up the food banks and passing any extra food to friends/family, costs are still rising in areas we can't control.
I'm already organizing the garage and trying to gather things to sell when I find them (sold a set of BMW wheels and a 924 Turbo coolant tank, etc.). I need to do the same throughout the house, especially all of the electronic errata I have laying around. We already have a few boxes of items from the kids, but we're waiting for a friend's Just Between Friends business to hold another sale to help support her.
I'm going to try and find someone to talk to about things, its obvious that I can't do it alone and a disinterested 3rd party is needed to ensure I'm headed in the right direction. Not drinking so much is also needed and hopefully I can get some better sleep which could lead to starting to exercise again.
I appreciate the help and concern. This isolation and stress just kicks your ass, especially if you were already doing that before the pandemic.
In reply to Stefan (Forum Supporter) :
I started talking to someone a couple months ago and it was a huge help. Things aren't perfect but damn if they aren't more manageable. It's on FaceTime so I'm not locked into getting to a particular place but it works very well for me. If you can reach out and find someone.
I'm losing weight. Hardcore calorie counting. I'm measuring or weighing everything I ingest. I'm looking for good recipes online, and here is my rant: How the hell did "Detox" diets and recipes become a thing? Do you not have a functioning liver and kidneys? Are you under medical supervision while undergoing withdrawal symptoms? No? Then you're not berkeleying detoxing. You might be starving yourself, but you sure as hell aren't detoxing.
Also, carbs are good. You need carbs. Yes, they're very calorie heavy, but when did carbs become a bad thing?
I hate people.
mtn (Forum Supporter) said:I'm losing weight. Hardcore calorie counting. I'm measuring or weighing everything I ingest. I'm looking for good recipes online, and here is my rant: How the hell did "Detox" diets and recipes become a thing? Do you not have a functioning liver and kidneys? Are you under medical supervision while undergoing withdrawal symptoms? No? Then you're not berkeleying detoxing. You might be starving yourself, but you sure as hell aren't detoxing.
Also, carbs are good. You need carbs. Yes, they're very calorie heavy, but when did carbs become a bad thing?
I hate people.
Other than the last one I agree.
Actually you may be interested in this. The reason I believe people are into fad diets is the same reason people believe in Q-anon or that 9/11 was a hoax, people want to believe that they have some insider shortcut knowledge. Newsflash, believing that the pyramids were built by aliens because it's just so hard to understand that much manpower that long ago doesn't make you a clever skeptic, it makes you a gullible fool. I have friends who swear by Plexus, pink drink thing, essential oils, keto, carb free, sugar free, gosh so many other things, and on average they are all just as healthy and energetic and thin as everyone else not doing those things.
I'm down 45 lbs since July. No one wants to believe the big secret is not eating nearly as much and exercising a couple hours a day. For my rant after losing 45 lbs I should look at least slightly different. The most anyone can tell is my head looks a bit smaller so I will end up being the fat guy with the little head.
Stefan (Forum Supporter) said:Streetwiseguy said:Stefan (Forum Supporter) said:I'm so tired of being in debt, but there's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's a number 5 train headed to teenage years for our two kids.
Goddammit, I didn't have any debt before I met my wife, I was happily living paycheck to paycheck and messing with cars with the extra money. Sure I may have spent money I shouldn't have on dumbassery, but I always managed to make ends meet and keep a roof over my head.
Now I have a wife, kids, mortgage and mountains of debt. Seriously, how do people live like this? I think bankruptcy is on the horizon for us. We've berkeleyed this into a cocked hat. Time to throw it all away and more or less start over. Unless something changes we're going to continue to tread water.
the worst part? I love them dearly and while sometimes I feel like they'd be better off without me (hello insurance payout), I can't imagine life without them.
Anyone have any side hustle ideas for a reasonably techy and handy GRM'er? I gotta do something with the skills and knowloedge I have (such as it is) to help us.
The most important thing, and the very hardest to deal with in some cases: Is your wife onside with this way of thinking? I have maybe seen or been in a situation where any extra just goes to more new shoes...
Actually I'm the one spending a bit frivolously at times. Mostly out of boredom and depression. When she spends money its on stuff for the kids or things needed around the house and feels guilty if she buys something for herself. I need to find a better outlet and actually work on getting various projects finished instead of started and set aside.
Her working part-time, basically to afford healthcare for the family, allows her more time with the kids, but it has hurt us financially. When she was temporarily laid off and getting unemployment along with the Federal kicker, things were progressing pretty well since we were visiting the local food banks for food. That didn't last (obviously) and while we're still hitting up the food banks and passing any extra food to friends/family, costs are still rising in areas we can't control.
I'm already organizing the garage and trying to gather things to sell when I find them (sold a set of BMW wheels and a 924 Turbo coolant tank, etc.). I need to do the same throughout the house, especially all of the electronic errata I have laying around. We already have a few boxes of items from the kids, but we're waiting for a friend's Just Between Friends business to hold another sale to help support her.
I'm going to try and find someone to talk to about things, its obvious that I can't do it alone and a disinterested 3rd party is needed to ensure I'm headed in the right direction. Not drinking so much is also needed and hopefully I can get some better sleep which could lead to starting to exercise again.
I appreciate the help and concern. This isolation and stress just kicks your ass, especially if you were already doing that before the pandemic.
Seriously dude reach out. I went through a similar problem a few years ago. I was spending just to spend and have a minor feeling of happiness once that new set of wheels arrived or that new raspberry pi that was just going to sit in a box for months. I felt lost, alone, and like I had no one to talk to about it. I was afraid to reach out in any way, shape, or form too.
I will say avoiding some social media helped remedy some of my short term issues.
Wally (Forum Supporter) said:I'm down 45 lbs since July. No one wants to believe the big secret is not eating nearly as much and exercising a couple hours a day. For my rant after losing 45 lbs I should look at least slightly different. The most anyone can tell is my head looks a bit smaller so I will end up being the fat guy with the little head.
Well, on the way up, were those last 45 pounds noticable before and after?
Also, that's a lot of loss in only a few months!
Wally (Forum Supporter) said:I'm down 45 lbs since July. No one wants to believe the big secret is not eating nearly as much and exercising a couple hours a day. For my rant after losing 45 lbs I should look at least slightly different. The most anyone can tell is my head looks a bit smaller so I will end up being the fat guy with the little head.
Just keep at it Wally. You'll eventually feel physically better.
And yeah. I'm watching my calories. I'm getting somewhat regular exercise, at least 2x a week cardio and weights 3x a week (not intense, I haven't lifted in 12 years and can't afford a trip to the hospital or to get discouraged).
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Honestly I've been up and down so many times I don't remember when it becomes noticeable, I was just hoping it would have been by now.
In reply to mtn (Forum Supporter) :
Physically I feel better than I have in years, I walk 3-4 miles a day, almost never take an elevator, and a number of other things have gotten better as well which is good and bad, there's a fun little guilt trip that comes along with making things better now instead of when it could have done some good.
Duke said:Stefan (Forum Supporter) said:I'm so tired of being in debt, but there's no light at the end of the tunnel, it's a number 5 train headed to teenage years for our two kids.
[...] sometimes I feel like they'd be better off without me (hello insurance payout),Just in case those thoughts get a little too much traction: your family won't be better off without you.
I missed this before, and if you're thinking you might harm yourself don't wait to get help. Also remember that life insurance doesn't generally cover suicides. I have a friend who's husband killed himself and she and their daughter were seriously berkeleyed for a while not just from the loss but financially as well.
I just went to pour myself a cup of coffee and there was a dead moth floating in the carafe. So I had to dump the pot of coffee.
Unfortunately, that was my second cup from that pot this morning.....
The Transformers cartoon is still good, and GI Joe's stories are among the best of the 80s.
Thundercats has not held up. Not at all.
wae said:I just went to pour myself a cup of coffee and there was a dead moth floating in the carafe. So I had to dump the pot of coffee.
Unfortunately, that was my second cup from that pot this morning.....
That reminds me of the time I was boiling some rice in my apartment and there was a huge fly in the kitchen. I went off into another room for something, came back, fly had skedaddled.
When I was eating the rice, noticed something black in it, that looked suspisciously like a fly's skull.
Didn't eat rice for like three years after that.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:wae said:I just went to pour myself a cup of coffee and there was a dead moth floating in the carafe. So I had to dump the pot of coffee.
Unfortunately, that was my second cup from that pot this morning.....
That reminds me of the time I was boiling some rice in my apartment and there was a huge fly in the kitchen. I went off into another room for something, came back, fly had skedaddled.
When I was eating the rice, noticed something black in it, that looked suspisciously like a fly's skull.
Didn't eat rice for like three years after that.
It's just protein and not enough to taste. Don't worry about it.
You should have seen the canned sausage I tried the other day...
It tasted better than it looked, but not by much.
You'll need to log in to post.