New Year Resolution Follow Up

I used to love going out to eat at Outback Steakhouse when I did the low carb diet - their Alice Springs Chicken with steamed veggies was incredible. :D

I only gave one customer the finger today. And that's because she told me that $262 was too much for 4 nights in a hotel and a roundtrip flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles. The flight alone could cost that much. I won't tell you the name I called her after she hung up...I'll give you a hint. It rhymes with WITCH, and it starts with a B......

Oh my gosh! I can't believe she balked at that price! I think that was worth a temporary break in your resolution, Jessi! :evil:

I guess I'm behind on reporting. I thought we were going to do it every Monday. I started a weight loss plan that I got from MSN Health & Fitness and changed my eating style. I have 1 packet, not 2 of instant oatmeal in the morning. I kept to my commitment not to have coffee. Not because it's bad for me, but because I really like the cream. I switched to green tea and I've noticed a boot in my energy levels. I'm finishing up my Herbalife products, so I'm drinking the green tea, taking vitamins 3 times a day and using up the other herbal products.

I've gone to the gym everyday this week except for today and did the exercise plan from MSN Health & Fitness. My goal is to lose 1 1/2 lbs a week because losing it too fast will only bring it back. The plan calls for losing 2 pounds a week, but I've already lost the 1 1/2 lbs. Also, I'm starting to lift exercise the back of my arms so they can tighten up.

It's two steps forward and one step back in the financial area. My employer cuts all accounting off at the end of the year. So, I got half of a paycheck before Dec. 31st and the other half on the 10th. I told both my grown children who live with me that they absolutely could not miss a rent payment this month. Both did because of their own financial issues, and I got left with paying $1,100 in rent this month instead of my usual $365. Big ouch! I got my letters for the last three PDLs and will be sending them out on Monday, but had to take out a storefront PDL to make up for the rent that the kids aren't paying. Big, big ouch!

DebtFairy - sorry to hear about the kids and their rent! That really stinks - I hope things get better.

I am down 1 lb so far. Not much, but it's a start, and I haven't been perfect on everything, so it can only get better.

I'm perusing my credit reports tonight to figure out what to dispute. I can't do online disputes because of the issue with pulling my report up. I can't pull it up at all, but I just pulled one in July, so that's probably why. It hasn't been a year yet. So, I'll file my disputes by snail mail and hope for the best.

Good going SueBee. Yeah, both are giving me nightmares. I can kind of understand my daughter's situation and she is taking steps to start pulling her own weight despite this divorce she's going through. My son is a nightmare. For the last six months every step he's taken has turned into dust. I tried to help him by getting power of attorney, keep track of his bills, set up a payment schedule and communicate with his creditors, but when he got paid, he never handed over the check and it was gone before he got home.

I set up an auto deposit for him, then he lost his job. He got another and tried to get a second job to take care of the bills, but the second job (which was paying him less than the first) starting demanding that he work more hours. So, he cut the hours on the higher paying job and lost it. I love my son, but he has so many issues because of his ADD. I believe in his heart he wants to do the right thing, but he does have a problem with getting his facts straight and controlling himself when it comes to telling describing the facts of any situation. So, he's to one of the lowest points in his life. Taking from Peter to pay Paul, etc. I could go on and on, but the last six months have been a nightmare where he's not only dragged himself down, but other members of his family.

His dad finally stepped in on Friday and said he was going to try to help. We'll see how that works. He hasn't been a part of his kids lives for 20 years and now he wants to save them? We'll see.

Sorry for the B....ing, but the week was going so well until I got this news today.

DebtFairy - How old is you son? The reasonthat I ask is because I have a friend who has a son with ADD and was really having a hard time holding a job and all. She went to the count mental health department and they help him get an assessment, which in turn got him on some meds to help stabilize him and they also put him in a job training program. While he is in the program they also found out that he was eligible for SSI. So now he get that, plus food stamps and they are training him in a job that in a few years he will be able to support himself. This kid is in his early 20s.

My son is 25. I have been his sole supporter since he was a little boy. I've told him he needs to get into counseling and back onto meds. But, I think he's afraid of feeling like he's less of a person if he does that. He was evaluated when he was in grade school and we thought he would outgrow it a little as he got older. I can see now that I'm still dealing with the same thing only in a bigger sized package. The really sad part of all of this is that he has a genius I.Q. and yet he's the type that would forget to zip up his pants if he weren't reminded. He has a very quirky, humerous personality, but that doesn't get him into reality. I look at him and still see an almost bewildered look on his face as he trys to figure out why his approach to things in life just doesn't work.

He's worked for Jiffy Lube since he was 18 until last year when he got fired. He made it all the way to manager and got sent to a store to "save" it because he's held the highest sales records in the company nationally. He trusted one of his employees and let him use his manager's code and the employee took advantage and almost cost the company a huge lawsuit. My son got fired for letting the employee use his code.

Things may work out. He called the JL regional manager and set an appointment to talk with him. Early indications are that they will let him come back as an IM tech on a part-time basis while they put him on a probationary period for about a year or so.

The irony is that we live in a state where the average family size is 5+ kids and there are a huge amount of ADD kids here. They treat them while they are school age, but support groups for adults are practically non-existent. He could get help through the county, but my experience is that they only want to medicate and not teach people how to cope. I believe that my son would do better to get on medication and learn how to cope with his disability through support groups and/or counseling. Ultimately, though he has to take responsibility for learning how to deal with this. Right now he's got his hands full trying to keep his nose above the water with his debts. At least he's committed to getting that under control. I believe that once he's done that, he'll find some breathing room to take care of the ADD.

There are far more debilitating mental disabilities out there than ADD that would have to be one of the more milder forms and parents of kids who have more significant disabilities would say they wish their kid had ADD. You should count your blessings, it could be much worse.

You are 100% correct, and I do. However, you would not believe some of the things that my son does that just leave me going, ... what the heck?!?!!!

The common sense factor just does not exist with this kid at all. Case in point. He had a job making $11 and hour with medical benefits and potential of moving up in the company and possibly regaining a position similar to what he had when he was with Jiffy Lube. He decides he needs extra money to take care of his debts, so he gets a part-time job working at minimum wage as a hiker for a car rental company at night. The company asks him to put in more hours, so he rearranges his schedule at his higher paying job to accommodate them. The higher paying job lets him go because they hired him to be full-time and he had dropped his schedule to part-time. So, ... what the heck!?!!!

Deb, That has to be frustrating for you. It's hard enough managing your own bills without having to manage your kids', too. My two older kids, thank God, finally are both self sufficient. My son bought a snack tray business, which he is paying $1600 a month to the owner (has been paying on it for a year and a half). He has six more months to pay on it, and then it's his. This is something I myself would never have had the courage to do. My daughter works for an orthodontist, putting braces on patients. She is currently training to be a medical transcriptionist so she can work at home and spend more time with her daughter. It wasn't always like that, though. My son moved in and out with me and didn't take responsibility for anything until he got custody of his daughter. Then he started settling down and taking control of his life. He was about 24. The only thing I've helped him with in the past 8 years was to help start up his business. I lent him $1000 of the deposit he had to put down, which he has paid me back for. My daughter, on the other hand, has always been self sufficient. At the age of 16, she got a job, applied for a credit card with my signature, and her credit is A1. She and her fiance have recently had a house built at a good interest rate, they have nice furniture, and they're financially stable. What I'm trying to say is that kids become responsible at different times. The fact that your son has ADD, until it's controlled, makes it that much harder. My one son has OCD, which the doctor is trying him on different medications for. He has a hard time concentrating because he has to do these "habits". He tries hard but gets frustrated because he can't concentrate. He had a summer job at Marc's in the warehouse. He did okay there because basically it was just a cleaning job. He's on the basketball team at school, though, and many times misses a play because he's concentrating on his habits. Sorry for rambling but basically what I wanted to say is I can empathize with you about your son. As far as the financial part, you have no control over what they're doing with your paycheck or with your kids' financial problems right now. Don't give up. Things will get better.

Jessi, You're still okay because you didn't give the customer the finger or call her a b----c while you were on the phone with her!

Sue, i hope you feel better soon. You're still walking the dogs, so you're still exercising. Before I had my gallbladder out, all I could eat was cereal, so I'd eat it three times a day. That week, I lost 8 pounds! So definitely 3 English muffins counts as a diet.

Ashley, good for you! Six days and no coke. That's fabulous. And if you haven't gotten a headache, you shouldn't at this point. Anytime I've gone off caffeine, I'd get a headache within a couple days, and it always took three days to go away. You're past that point. Which, by the way, I guess I wasn't taking in as much caffeine as I thought. I haven't had any coffee or pop, and I haven't gotten a headache at all.

Nat, it sounds like you're doing great. Keep up the Slim Fast and let me know how it works. I haven't weighed in yet. I'm going to wait until Monday.

Irish, how are your resolutions going?

Financially, I'll have to wait and see what my paycheck looks like. I'm having a problem with the cable company right now. I have a $300 outstanding bill, which I am paying the minimal amount I can on until my garnishment is up (3 more payments - woo hoo!). Anyway, a lady I talked to said I needed to pay $120. I paid it. Then I got a call a couple days later from someone else saying she noticed I paid $120 and asked why I paid that amount. i told her that was what the previous person told me to pay. She said I had to pay at least $53 more or service would be interrupted. Since I also have my phone and internet service on there, which I need for work, I can't afford to let that happen. She told me I needed to pay it right away. I told her I wouldn't be able to pay the $53 until Monday. She said she couldn't promise the service wouldn't be interrupted. Well, the phone is off today but so far I can still work because the internet is still on. However, the office is closed today, so I went through the automated options and found I now have to pay $195 to get the service restored on the phone and to avoid having the other services turned off. Sorry for rambling again. I seem to be doing a lot of that today. What I'm planning to do, though, is since I don't want to get behind on my savings, I'm going to do an IOU and put double in next check. What do you guys think?

dbaker - thank you for your positive words to everyone - it's appreciated!

I'd say in your situation, I'd take care of what is most important first. You have to have a phone. I would say it's perfectly ok to do a "savings IOU" and put double in next week, provided it doesn't short you next week to pay another bill.

I know what you mean with the company telling you different amounts are owed - I got a shut-off notice from my power/gas company in yesterday's mail that said I owed $7 and would be shut off if not paid by a certain date. I paid what was listed on my last bill as being due - not sure where the heck that $7 is coming from.

You're right, Sue. It is frustrating. But after February 10, I won't have the garnishment to worry about and no more PDLs! So I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I'm looking forward to a good year!

I am so happy for you guys..I have one more PDL and then I'm free..YIPPEE!! I just spoke with a cousin of mine that live in Mississippi and she has been doing that Special K diet. She said that she has lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks and just started her 3rd week today..Sounds good, huh?? :D

It does! Another one for us to keep in mind. Does that include being able to have the Special K with berries?

Yea, she said that she only eats the Special K Yogurt and Berries, and the Special K Red Berries. For lunch, she has either more cereal or one of the meal bars, and of course they have snacks too. At dinner, she eats what she wants. She said that she also drinks the Special K protein water for a snack, and throughout the day, she normally drinks only water.

Oh, which brings me to my next question! Who has been drinking their quota of water? I did pretty good the first few days but have been kind of slack about it lately. Will get back on track with it, though.

Ugh, not me. I need to get back on track with my water. I'm drinking SOME, but not enough - more than I used to, though.

If you're drinking more than you used to, you're off to a good start. What about trying to increase it every day, even if it's only a couple ounces?

By the way, I just want to let you guys know we're having a family reunion the end of July. I want to lose 70 pounds by then, which means 10 pounds a month. So if I don't lose 10 a month, really yell at me, okay?!

I have been doing good with my water. That is all that I have been drinking for about 2 months now, since I went to the dr and my BP was up really high. He suggested that I stop drinking sodas and juices that aren't 100%, and drink only skim milk. That stuff is almost water anyway, and I really don't like it.. :lol:

Nat, that's great. Just make sure you're getting enough calcium. My son is lactose intolerant and can't drink milk or have any dairy products. He takes calcium supplements. This might be something for you to consider.

I came across this article today and thought it'd be something to share with you about dancing to burn calories.

health.yahoo.com/experts/weightkoch/9715/dance-your-way-to-a-better-body

dbaker thanks so much for the encouragement. You're right, not much I can do unti he realizes that his problems are based on his ADD and he needs to take charge of it. He's feeling like a scum bag though. He's been helping a girl he knows get back on her feet. I'm sitting on both sides of the fence on this one. She got arrested for drug paraphenalia and the courts slammed her because she had about 3 DUIs. Then she got pregnant by some other guy. Her mother is homeless and has mental problems. The girl is smart and has a take-charge personality, but she has really made some stupid choices. Anyway, my son has stuck by her through all this I think hoping she would want to be more than a friend. Over the last year he's done a lot of lying not just to his family but to this girl. Stupid lies too that leave us going .... why would you tell such a stupid lie when the truth was insignificant anyway? Well anyway, it caught up with him this last week when Rent A Center called looking for either money or their property back. My son pawned one of the items for quick cash and went to pick it up and it was sold. I told him he was SOL and would have to pay for it. When Rent A Center called us, I just threw up my hands and said there's nothing I can do. My daughter told Rent A Center to call his girl friend. They did and the entire truth came out. Long story short, friendship or potential for more, he blew it and she said she didn't want to hear from him anymore because she didn't need people in her life lying to her when she is trying to get her life pulled together. She's got a few issues out there that may put her in prison, but that's another story. Anyway, my son got his wake up call. Now I'm watching to see if he'll start taking steps to make corrections in his life or go back to the old habits. He hates being thought of as a scumbag because he can't control the habit of elaborating on the truth or flat out lying. And, it's a shame because he has a big heart and would give anyone the shirt off of his back to help them.

Anyway, this doesn't have anything to do with New Year's resolutions, but it is on my wish list because having this kind of tripe in my life only complicates it and I like simple.

As for New Year's resolutions, I have started the green tea, but it makes me thirsty, so I am forced to drink a lot more water. I've increased to about 6 cups a day.

Also, part of my resolution was to find a way to make more money in addition to my job ... something that fits into my schedule at home. I won't discuss it here, but if anyone would like the details, please PM me and I'll tell you more about it.

I am also taking the ONE A DAY Weightsmart multivitamin b/c I am not getting alot of meats..

Deb, having your son's ADD stabilized is a good new year's wish. It sounds like he has a big heart with helping that girl out. I really hope things work out for him. Our kids sometimes don't make very wise decisions, do they?

You're right about the green tea. It does make you thirsty, which is a good thing because, like you said, you drink more water. I also like to drink a big glass of water with apple slices. They make me thirsty, so I can down a big glass of water in no time.

I finaly caught up on reading all the new posts. Well I put another 5.00 in the savings account - so I guess I am OK, this week anyway. I still need to call some of my pdls and tell them that I am filing bk. I really need to get on the ball - I thouhgt I would have them all taken care of by now - the calls I mean. I just have been putting it off, and then again I hate to do it - with some of these places the people have become friends. God - I sound like a drunk justifying that one last drink!!

Irish, I know what you mean. One PDL place that I had a loan out with before I filed bankruptcy a few years ago (store front), I met some really nice people. After I filed bankruptcy, I happened to be at the bank the same time as one of the guys that worked at the PDL was. He said hi and asked how I was doing. I felt awful because I felt like I had done something against him personally.

Nat, that multivitamin you're taking, it's good to take if you don't eat meat? My son's girlfriend doesn't eat meat or eggs, but she'll eat cheese, drink milk, etc. I wonder if I should recommend it to her?

Since part of my New Year's resolution isn't just to get my finances in order, find extra money, kick the kids in the butt so they can get their finances straight and lose weight, I'm adding a new resolution: To help people in my community/state be aware of the pitfalls of PDLs both storefront and internet.

Here's what I've done so far. Contacted a lady here in SLC that is trying to get legislation to change so Utah's open door policy to PDLs can change. I got in touch with her and she is very knowledgeable about what's going on already. She already knew about CashNet500 backdooring it's way into Utah via Payday-Loan-Yes and confirmed everything I learned about these to IPDLs from this forum. She informed me that there are 5 bills up for consideration in the legislature right now, but our strongest advocate against PDLs is a senator by the last name of Ray. She also told me that one of the biggest problems leading to the perception of open-door policy is somebody at the Division of Financial Institutions who is assigned to look into the PDL issue ... a person by the name of Jerry Jaramillo. Jaramillo has apparently been in this position for a while and simply looks the other way or does nothing to respond to complaints against PDLs. This lady, Linda, has been working for 5 years to get Jaramillo out. Linda is going to send me e-mail addresses and information about the bills up for consideration right now. She agrees though that because Utah typically follows federal legislation, Utah won't do anything until the laws change at the federal level.

Okay I will (as she hangs her head low) I had a Coke this morning. I was in s much pain from falling and so tired that I drank a half of one from McDonalds and had a Burrito. O-well as lomg as I am not sucking down 8 a day I am doing god.

Debt Fairy YOU GO Girl, take on Utah with full force. I told you that I thought it was a strnage state in regards to PDL's. BTW did you get your letters out?

I was planning on doing it today, but had something unexpected come up over the weekend that totally stressed me out. They are going out tomorrow. Also, now that I have an address for CashNet500 aka Payday-Loan-Yes, I am glad to be getting that out. BTW, I am sending them certified, but will it hurt to send them via e-mail as well?

Go ahead and send them via email just mark at the bottom somewhere that if was CC regular mail also. I need to add that in my insutructions.

Utah is strange in more ways than one, but this site doesn't address other issues like that, so we'll limit our discussions to financial/credit/debt issues.

Deb, that's great that you've taken that on. Good luck with it.

Well, now I have even more reason to lose weight by summer. My daughter became engaged New Year's Eve, and they decided they didn't want to wait a year and a half (as originally planned) to get married but to get married in August!! By the way, Eric (her fiance) is a real sweetheart. Anyway, so I am going to be drinking my 8 glasses of water a day and really concentrate on losing weight.

Congratulations, dbaker. Is this the first child to get married?

Yes! I'm hoping my son and his girlfriend will follow the lead. We'll see. And thanks, Deb.

We'll have to share experiences after the wedding. My oldest son got married about a year and a half ago.

O.K., I have to share. No sooner was the wish out into the universe when the universe answered back.

My son who was let go by Jiffy Lube 7 months ago and started a downward financial spiral that affected all of us and caused us to start spiraling, decided he was going to take the bull by the horns. He met with his former employer on Monday. Long story short, he just signed a $60,000/year contract with bonuses as a manager. Now he'll be able to take care of his own financial issues (and pay me back all the money I loand him) and I will be able to take care of mine.

On top of that, the firm staff had it's employee interviews were told about their raises. I got the highest raise in the firm. My hourly increased by over $1.50/hr. Debts will definitely be gone soon.

DebtFairy - I am so happy for you! And you son! What a great way to start the new year off!

Congrats, DebtFairy! And congrats to your son too!

The tide seems to be turning here...I also have some good news to share.

I finally got the issue with my driver's license resolved with the state I moved out of 4 years ago. Long story short, I moved to another state, and returned my license plates and my driver's license to the licensing authority in that state (as I was instructed to), in a big padded envelope, with a letter enclosed with my new address in case they needed it for anything. I obtained my driver's license in my new home state, and registered and insured my vehicle there. Four years later, when my license expired, I went to renew it, only to find the other state had suspended my license, and I couldn't renew my license here! They said I hadn't informed them that I had moved. I did a bit of digging and found the dec page from the insurance policy I took out on that vehicle when I moved here, and sent it to them as proof that I had indeed moved. After a lot of red tape, I finally got the suspension lifted yesterday with no fees or fines - at least from the old state - no telling what I'll face when I go to get this straightened out in my current state, since my license is late being renewed.

And I got asked to go out to a movie....

It was a good day. :D

Wow, you guys! Great news on both parts. Deb, I'm so glad your son got that job and you a raise! Not to tell you what to do, but the first thing I would do when you can is get rid of the PDL! It's about time things started working out in your favor. And yes, we'll have to compare notes. I might even have to ask your advice on what the mother of the bride is supposed to do. Maybe I'm PM you later. I have no idea!

Sue, congratulations on getting that messed straightened out with your license. Since you didn't have a problem with the old state, hopefully your current state will follow suit. Let us know how it goes.

Thanks, dbaker - my current state wasn't the problem -it's just that all the states report suspended licenses to each other now, so if you go to renew your license and you're suspended in another state, your current state won't renew you. I had no idea my license was suspended in the other state - I never got the letter they claim to have sent. Believe me, I would have jumped right on that to straighten it out if I had. Now that the other state is fixed, I can just go and renew...and pay the late fee. :evil:

Sue, that's great. I'm glad it's all straightened out. I hate going to renew my plates. Every year I say I'm going to send for them by mail but never do. Oh, well. Maybe next year!

By the way, Sue, how are you feeling?

doing ok, thanks dbaker...went to the doc last night and had some tests done this morning. Think I'm finally getting out of it. :D

Thanks everyone so much for your help and support. Yes, I can definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel even though it still seems to be further away than I would like. Getting rid of the PDLs is currently in process. I sent off my letters the other day via e-mail and certified. Today I was supposedly going to send money to them (per a conversation that took place before I found this forum). I expected someone to contact me, but I haven't heard a word. I'm not naive enough to believe that they will simply go away, but I am expecting either some sort of contact rebutting my letters or (hopefully) a PIF letter from each.

I was concerned that I hadn't contacted the AG's office, but saw another thread telling me that some AG's offices don't want to hear from you until you have tried to resolve the matter yourself first. That makes sense, so I will be sending complaints to the AG's office and Fin'l Div. ofc in a day or so as follow-up. That way I'm not threatening to do something, I'm actually taking action and doing it.

dbaker, I'm happy to share stories. I'll warn you though that my son had an LDS temple marriage and the only part I got to participate in was the reception and that consisted of sitting next to the bride's father who was divorced from her mother. They sat us outcasts on one side of the room and the "faithful" got to sit on the other. It was like an invisible line was drawn and no one dared to cross.

Sue, I'm glad you're starting to feel better.

Deb, I'm sorry you had to miss the ceremony and that they treated you like that at the reception. Unfortunately, we can't choose how or where our kids get married. I'd prefer my daughter marry in a church, but they decided to get married in a park (de'lucas in the park - has anyone had any experience with this place? It's in Lorain, Ohio). I'm not even sure who is marrying them. And get this, now they up'd the wedding again! Now it's going to be July 27, the day before our family reunion. Can you imagine what kind of weekend that's going to be?! Kids!!

That's o.k. I went through that ceremony 20 years ago. One of the most frightening experiences of my life ... but that's another story.

I'd love to hear it sometime.

It is way too quit tonight, but a friend sent this to me and I thought it fit right in.

Subject: My New Diet

I was in Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina dog food for Lola and was in
line to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog. Duh!

I was feeling a bit crabby so on impulse, I told her no, I was starting The
Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the
hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive
care unit with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms.

Her eyes bugged out of her head. I went on and on with the bogus diet story
and she was totally buying it. I told her that it was an easy, inexpensive
diet and that the way it works is to load your pockets or purse with Purina
nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The package
said the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.

I have to mention here that everyone in the line was by now enthralled with
my story, particularly a tall guy behind her. Horrified, she asked if
something in the dog food had poisoned me and was that why I ended
up in the hospital. I said no..... I'd been sitting in the street licking my
butt when a car hit me.

I thought the tall guy was going to have to be carried out the
door!