finances | BulgingButtons

November 27, 2014
by BulgingButtons 3 Comments

Paying Bills on Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s a wonderful day of food and family and tradition. I love Thanksgiving. I always have. But before I get too caught up in the cooking (yes, I started yesterday, and today my sweetheart is doing most of the meal, so I have time) I’m going to take care of some business.

Why? Well, as I was clearing off the kitchen counter I moved some mail, and in it were a few bills. It seems to me that Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pay those bills (online, of course). Why spoil a perfectly good holiday? Because to me it isn’t spoiling it at all.

1. Credit Card- I paid off my credit card a while back, before I got divorced. I use it now for online purchases and travel related expenses, like airfare and hotels. Some months there’s not much on there (although usually there’s something, since I download too many books for the kindle). Other months it gets pretty high. Never as high as it was back in my married days, though. When I get this bill it reminds me that I have the opportunity to travel and the means to provide the little extra comforts that I enjoy in life, like my collection of digital media.

2. Electric- These folks make it possible for me to keep my home warm or cool, to wash and dry my clothes, to refrigerate and cook my food, and to enjoy technology. Oh, and they keep the lights on. Yes, I’m thankful for all of that.

3. Cell phone- I’m happy to pay to not only keep connected to my loved ones, but also to have access to emergency services should I need them. Add it the convenience of data where I am and yes, I’ll pay my bill, no problem.

4. Mortgage- Granted this one is a big one, but it pays for the roof over my family’s head. We live in a comfortable home in a neighborhood that feels safe and friendly. I looked long and hard to find this home, and I’m glad to call it ours. I remember this every time I send in the payment.

5. Insurance- I pay for the peace of mind. I’m glad that if something DOES happen, I have insurance to help us through it. It’s worth it to me.

I’m not wealthy. I don’t live extravagantly. I do, however, have enough, and for that I’m very thankful. Paying my bills reminds me that I’m fortunate to have what I do have and to live as comfortably as I do. I work hard for what I earn, but I’ve also been lucky. There are many hardworking people who struggle and barely scrape by. I’m aware of this, and for that reason I’m thankful that I’m able to pay my bills and still have a little something left over to enjoy life. If paying bills isn’t a reminder of my fortunate situation, I don’t know what is.

May 30, 2014
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Just What Are You Trying To Tell Us?

This evening the local news featured a piece on several class action lawsuits that you, too, can “get in on.” The reporter mentioned that you probably should have actually purchased said products, which ranged from sunscreen to dog food to just about anything from Trader Joe’s, but the tone and message of the piece was “hey folks, these companies are giving out free money so hop on board and get your piece of the pie.”

Over and over the amounts that people could claim, without any receipts, flashed across the screen. The way they presented it made it sound like free money. I can imagine a person who is pinching pennies might think, “these companies don’t know whether or not I actually bought their product, so what would it hurt to make a claim?” After all, twenty dollars here and thirty-five dollars there can really make a difference when your family is struggling.

What are these suits about, anyway? Well, the dog food suit actually stemmed from some harm coming to some pets. That doesn’t sound unreasonable, but why open it up to just anyone who claims to have bought the food? Then there was the one from the fancy flip flop company. Apparently they claimed some health benefits that they shouldn’t have. Really, people? You’re going to sue a flip flop company because your feet still have issues after wearing flip flops? How is this sane? It’s like the person suing McDonald’s after spilling hot coffee. Coffee is supposed to be hot, isn’t it? You just have to be careful and use some common sense.

I believe we’re too quick to look for blame and to try to get something for nothing. I didn’t buy that sunscreen. I won’t put in a claim for the eight dollars or whatever it was, even if I don’t need a receipt. I know easy money is hard to pass up, but Karma’s a bitch, so I don’t mess with it. Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Is the world black and white? I don’t think so. You need to feed your babies, you need to keep safe, but do you really need twenty dollars from Trader Joe’s because they may have mislabeled some of their products? I doubt it.

February 17, 2014
by BulgingButtons 4 Comments

Too Many Choices

Close to work and in a pretty neighborhood, but it needs updating. Still, the price is right.

The day after tomorrow my listing goes live. The listing for my house, that is. It will officially be “for sale” and the search for a new home will continue as we cross our fingers that this one goes quickly and for a fair price.

Now I have to decide where I want to live. Of course I don’t want to put the cart before the horse, but I really need to give it some thought in order to narrow down my search. Everyone knows that the first rule of real estate is, “location, location, location,” but the question is, which location?

I’m at a point where I can automatically rule out any homes that back to busy streets or have horrible views. I can cross off the list any neighborhoods that seem run down or unsafe. I also want to limit my commute to a particular distance. All that being said, I still have some decisions to make.

A longer drive but about the same square footage. Of course it’s all up to date and doesn’t need a thing. But the price… ouch.

Do I go for the homes in the neighborhood near me now which is a little higher priced, but all the homes are new and the neighborhood is pristine, or do I go for the lower priced homes closer to work that will need some cosmetic fixes that can be done over time? The savings in cost and time commuting are important to me, but so is the comfort of a home that doesn’t need any work. Of course the homes in great condition require a higher mortgage payment each month, so I would be home more.

Either way, I’m looking for a spacious home in a safe, pretty neighborhood, that won’t break the bank. Is that too much to ask? I didn’t think so.