Mrs. Furious ... Recipes, Rants & Reality: Bad Luck Comes In Threes

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Bad Luck Comes In Threes

First our coffee maker broke on Christmas Eve.

Then I broke myself.

Then we went broke.

19 comments:

Jane said...: I so know how you feel. Hubby took a new job. Better paying, better hours, less stress... no insurance. So immediately Oldest gets sick. Then Youngest gets sick. Then I get sick. Then Youngest and I both get pink eye. And last week Youngest was sick yet again. It is insane. But I do like to challenge myself when it comes to our money. I always find a way to make it all work. What else can you do?

I hope the new meds work out for you and your mother is a wonderful help to you. And that you let her help you. ;-)

I am just checking in after spending 12 hours stripping and waxing a floor. HORRID. So, goodnight. Sleep tight.; January 3, 2009 at 12:52 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm crossing my fingers and saying many prayers for you and your family. This time of year is always the hardest and I hate knowing y'all are in a tough spot.

I wish I lived closer to you. I'd drive down from Wisconsin in a heartbeat, just to help. ;)

Hang in there.

Sending happy thoughts your way.; January 3, 2009 at 1:11 AM
Lori said...: Oh Mrs. F. I can see the pain in your eyes. I'm so sorry things are so tough right now. Just remember the old adage,"If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger." I can totally relate to the finance debacle and am wondering how to make everything work here as well. My husband was informed yesterday that they get a 20% pay cut across the board, and no Bonus! OUCH!!!
We will certainly be changing our ways! Thanks for being so brave and sharing your life with us. If I lived closer I would be there to help in a heartbeat. Best Wishes!!!; January 3, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Smoochiefrog said...: Cut your expenses as best you can. Slice your cable to bare bones, cut long distance, change your cell plans or cancel all together (if your contract allows), make freezer meals, don't eat out AT ALL, transfer to public school, sell things at home your don't use on Ebay, sell things you make on Etsy (you'd be surprised at what people will buy on both Ebay and Etsy), shop at thrift stores when possible, look into puzzles and board games for entertainment, etc, etc, etc.

It doesn't have to hurt unless you allow it too. The kidlets don't even have to know there's a problem. It's all what you make it.; January 3, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Julie said...: Oh Mrs F, this totally bites. All of it. You have so much strain showing in your face...from both the non-stop nagging pain from your injury and the worry/concern about finances.

That is a huge chunk of change to be missing in the annual salary.

Ok, everybody vote like crazy for Mrs. F for the weblog award so she can go national and get a TV show or something:) Tell you what, I'll cut back on my blog so I won't steal away any readers from you;) Totally kidding, people. I am such a slacker blogger.

Smoochiefrog's idea about Etsy is a good one. I don't know what is involved with getting that going, but you do such a great job on your projects. I know now is not necessarily the best time for it though with your injury.

Dammit, I wish I was loaded and could send you guys a hefty check.

PS Please tell me you were able to get another coffee maker. That is a real necessity.; January 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
HC said...: Aw man, I echo Julie that this bites big time. If anyone can make this work, though, it's you. I think the Etsy thing is a great idea -- you have a built in consumer base from the blog, and a "Furious" marketing angle. Perhaps a line of Furious aprons... :) You could be the next Posie Gets Cozy!; January 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Brenda said...: Positive thoughts coming your way. I'm so sorry that you're dealing with all of this. Financial worries is certainly one of the worst kind of stresses. Have you looked into any kind of grocery delivery? I know you have certain places you shop, but do any have a PeaPod kind of service where they'll bring it to you? It might cost a bit extra, but may cost less than sending Mr. F. to the store? Just a thought. You certainly deserve a break, and I know fate/karma/faith will find you one soon.; January 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM
gooddog said...: $60 copays? ouch. literally.

sending hopeful thoughts... it is amazing what a tough time it is in this economy. So wild for all of us who haven't lived through something like this before. We have a few dear friends who have totally lost jobs and the SAHM is going back to work as a teacher. wow.

hang in there. here's to the new meds. and the bonus.; January 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Christy said...: I'm sorry.; January 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM
G in Berlin said...: I'm so sorry about both the injury and the finances. I know how that rolls: we left the country to allow me to be a SAHM- couldn't cut it in the metro NY area on a single salary. It's hard when one cuts and cuts and needs to cut more. Easy to say that there are things to be cut, but there are problems. If you go to one car, how will Mr F get to work? Or will you be trapped at home w/o any way to shop or deal with children/emergencies? We lived in a suburb that allowed us to commute by train, so we made do with a single car, but it was always a hassle Will you get enough from the sale to make it worthwhile or is it just not needing to pay the insurance?
I second the other person- an easy way to cut a (small)expense is in your phones. You may already have that, but Sprint has an unlimited plan that you can add a member to. Vonage is also great. With Skype if you open an account and put some $$ in it you can call almost any phone in the world fot tiny amounts (Skype to Skype is free, of course)... Buy milk in bulk! Costco has the best price on organic milk (which is important to me). Cake from scratch is ridiculously cheap and tastes so great. My coffee machine has repaid me a million times: I have been to Starbucks twice in the last 15 months: I brought my own coffee to my (government subsidized!)German classes. And so on.I indulge ridiculously in books (although I have purchased no new clothes in 11 months) but Amazon is great for used, as are local stores if you are lucky enough to have one...
I know that you will do everything you can and I hope that things start looking up for you all.; January 3, 2009 at 1:48 PM
AMB said...: I would say if the transfer of schools is going to make a significant impact do it. yes, everyone wants the best for their children - but with you as a stay at home mom to supplement her day with educational activities outside of the classroom you can still provide the best.

In the long run financial stability within your household will make more of an impact than a private elementary school. especially since your child is naturally bright and you are willing to work with her on educational concepts at home

good luck with getting the bonus, but dont beat your self up if some thing has to give.; January 3, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Mrs Furious said...: Hey all thanks for the comments. I'll keep you updated as to what we cut and how it works out.

G in Berlin,
One car would actually probably be okay for us. Mr F can ride his bike to work it's only a couple miles and when he needs the car I can walk to get Kid from school. We'll see. His car would let us pay off the appliances, the business taxes to MI, and still leave enough to give a good cushion... and/or buy a junker for him to have as a back up. We'll see.
The car is equivalent to the bonus.

Alison,
I have to look into our school contract. I think we're bound to the full years tuition. If so we can pull her out for next year. The good news is we only have 4 more months of tuition.

Also get this: today I got an email from the school announcing swimming lessons. It turns out they are part of the curriculum... although we never heard about it before... and they are an additional $100 split up into 3 payments. The problem? We don't even have enough for our usual bill this month!!!; January 3, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Aaron said...: Oh dear. Your eyes look like you've been crying. I wish I could just give you a big hug.

I have been there and still struggle every month with how the crap to make it work. In a good month, it's an impossible challenge and I pull out my superhero awesomeness and figure out how to make it work. In a bad month, I get depressed.

Just enter all the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes that you can!!!

(...hahaha); January 3, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Aaron said...: this would be Katieo, not Aaron.; January 3, 2009 at 8:35 PM
Jennifer said...: I hate money. Everything should just be free. Nothing should cost any money. It would solve so many problems. Oh yes, I have thought about this. If you work 8 hours a day you should get a card that says I am employed. And as long as you are working you get stuff. If you don't work, you don't get. That way, everyone would have to work and wouldn't be able to just live off the system. You work, you get groceries, gas, furniture etc. You don't, you don't. Stores would get all their stuff for free, they give it to the working folks. I bet that would solve alot of the "I must have 8 cars" in the world. It kills me that someone can spend $700 on a pair of jeans and the rest of us work our asses off to get jeans at Walmart.

Whatever. lol

It will work out. Things always do. I know you are not a big believer in God, but he takes care of his children and he will take care of you. He will make sure that you can take care of your family.

And that slack ass company better give Mr. F his f'ing bonus! That is not right! You are telling me that his promised bonus is going to put them under? I don't think so. Greedy bastards. Isn't that how the movie scrooge came about? lol

I will be praying for you!; January 3, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Renee said...: I haven't been able to listen to this whole video because I keep getting interrupted w/ 'MOMMY, MOMMY...but had to leave this quick comment before I forget as you mentioned you were out of your hair product...PLEASE email me a list of things you need and I will go get them..I want to help any way I can and I'm going to FORCE you to take me up on some things that I can do....I'm putting together something to bring you anyway however what I thought was a UTI ended up being a kidney stone-ugh! I'm more than happy to pick up any necessities you need....we live so close and its something I can easily do for so I'm not taking no for an answer!!!! And without having the chance to listen to the entire video yet, I can still relate to the money woes...there are some great things about being self employed but then some really crappy ones as well-such as not knowing when the next check is necessarily coming in....we can't even afford to pay our property tax in its entirity right now and its just so frustrating when you know the check will get there eventually, but the bills don't wait!!!!; January 3, 2009 at 9:24 PM
Mrs Furious said...: Katieo,
Thanks. I know we can do it... I'm trying not to get too stressed and just stay focused. I keep feeling like we get one step ahead of this and then it all comes tumbling down again. I think finally Mr F sees how serious it is and is hopefully ready to work with me. We've just got to get through the business taxes for 2008... that is ALWAYS a problem for us... thankfully the upside of losing that work is we won't have to struggle with that anymore. At least the paychecks are steady now. Not quite enough... but I know when they're coming and that is a big help. So many woulda shoulda couldas went into to the move, the house, and Kid's school.

Jennifer,
The damn bonus. I'm telling you... grrrr... the things you would do differently if you only knew the future. But we'll make it.

Renee,
Mr F found some hair stuff in the basement!
But please come on over and hang out (with or w/o the kids) anytime. I'll be housebound at least one more week.
And I so know about the inconsistent pay. That's the whole reason we moved down for this job... finally one paycheck every two weeks. Of course we thought we'd still have the freelance to supplement and cover tuition... and then when we lost that we were still counting on that bonus.
Ah well.; January 3, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Mrs Furious said...: And thanks for the ETSY idea. I'm thinking on that. I might need to be a bit more healed before I can operate the sewing machine but I think that's a good idea.

And again everyone thanks for all the support!!

The meds are better... I'm having a harder time typing ;); January 3, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Renee said...: OK, the kids are in bed and I'm finally able to watch this all the way through...

OMFG-first the Christmas potluck office party and now they are not giving Mr. F his bonus-WTF...I'm beginning to not like this company very much....I know, I know, people are going to say yeah but bonuses aren't guaranteed, blah, blah, blah, but let's get real..esp. given that like you said, they just hired Mr. F and it sounds like they knew the situation and got him to say yes to the job by dangling the bonus carrot out there-am I wrong here? That just sucks BIG TIME...

And the insurance thing...$60 copays?!?! Ouch-that is high...we pay an arm and a leg for insurance since we're self employed and medications aren't covered until we reach our very high deductible (that we had to do so we could afford the insurance)but we do not have any copays at all so I guess I'm counting my blessings on that-plus given hubby's medical history from the last few years I was worried we would get dropped from insurance all together so given the amount of his bills during his hospital stay I swore I would never say another negative thing about health insurance!!!! I'm curious-is it the same $60 copay for the kids' well visits? That IS a really high copayment.

I'm so very sorry you are having to deal with so much...and not that it makes your situation any better but hope it helps a little to know that you are not alone...we are really in a terrible financial crunch right now and I'm trying to figure out how to cut costs as well so maybe we can brainstorm together.

I'm starting the process of looking at schools for C and setting up appts to go visit some(sniffle, sniffle-the sign up starts beginning of February and I'm honestly starting to panic at the thought of him starting Kindergarten!!) so I'm happy to pass along my insight and/or have you come along w/ me when/if you feel up to it...if it helps at all I have heard that Asheville City schools are actually really good...as much as I know you'd hate to do this (and I agree w/ you on not pulling her out mid-year) it really might be worth looking into having Kid switch to public school next year...that would be a huge savings and not that I'm advocating being cheap on your children's education because obviously it goes without saying that us moms would sacrifice just about anything to ensure our children are getting the best education but I honestly have been told by many that the school system here is great so I'm just saying it may be worth looking into it...and who knows..maybe we could get Kid and C at the same school and we could carpool. Also, I think the selling the 2nd car is not a bad idea...esp. given that Kid's school is so close and Mr. F can bike to work...there are SOME positives to living in West Asheville-like being able to walk to a lot of different things. I like the suggestions about Etsy too-you really could probably make a mint selling Furious stuff on that-I'm ready to put an order in for the cute pillows you made..and skirts and capes...oh wait, we're broke...there I go again not being able to manage my money!

Have you noticed that it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to leave a short comment~sorry....; January 4, 2009 at 10:23 PM