No Fireworks for us

Chris and I had a long discussion about what to do for the fourth of July. We have decided to stay home. Not because we want to mind you, but because we simply can not afford to waste gas for entertainment purposes. So unfortunately for us we will just have to rely on our outdoor pillows and blankets to keep us comfortable while trying to see some of the neighbors fireworks displays from our deck. Something that we haven't done in ages. We have also declared a movie marathon night.

I feel less that a stellar mom to Katie right now because she knows that we were planning on hitting the beach scene for an entire day and night. It may not be something that many folks would want to do but Katie was looking forward to it, and for that I feel terrible. I do not even have enough money to buy for sparklers for her and I really hope that maybe she will forget about our tradition but I know deep inside my heart that she won't. She won't complain, she won't get upset, she won't even pout, because she knows that something is different. We have tried to explain to her that because daddy is not working that the money we used to have is not there. Her solution to "helping out the family" is to have a lemonade stand when we have our yard sale a week from tomorrow. She is so determined to do her part in helping the family through this very traumatic and sobering time. I just wish we weren't in this situation.

Bait and Switch

We all know that posting one price but then charging another is illegal. So how in the hell are gas stations getting away with it? The word on this is that they display one price, but if you pay by credit card at the pump it charges you more. Is this legal? I don't think so. I think it is down right sneaky.

Many gas station owners are claiming that because credit card companies charge a percentage to be able to accept their card that the public should be made to pay for that tiny percentage. WTF?
Some gas stations have posted the different prices. That would be acceptable but others are still trying to hide the fact that they are charging customers using their credit cards a higher rate. Some charge 8 cents more per gallon but others have been caught charging up to 50 cents more per gallon. My advice to anyone who pays at the pump is to watch out for the ol Bait and Switch. If you happen to catch one in your area please report them as soon as possible. We are paying out the butt for gas as it is, we shouldn't be raped along with it.

Bad Credit will hinder...

I have always been one that struggled financially. It wasn't that I didn't pay my bills, it was more of not having enough money coming in to pay the necessities. Being a single mom for the first nine years of Jeff's life was rough. I didn't get help from his father and was I was way to stubborn to get all the help I could have from the government. I know I was entitled to some things because I did work and contribute. Nonetheless, I would rather work my self ragged than apply for assistance.

My credit is ok. Could be a hell of a lot better but I did my best to pay everything. There are a few marks against me because I am not perfect. I even took out bad credit loans when I was about 23 years old. I wanted to get things straightened out while I was a struggling single mom. It actually helped a great deal back then. I never got myself into deep water again after paying the loan off. I have learned to charge only what I know I can afford. I am so picky when it comes to credit cards as well. I can't believe the interest rates on some of them. I now know that the better your credit is the lower the interest you pay. I kind of wish I knew that back then.

With the housing economy coming to a stand still and many mortgage companies declaring bankruptcy, there is no telling how many people are going to be defaulting on their mortgages and how many banks will be foreclosing on homes this year and next year. There are so many houses for sale in Sarasota alone. The amounts that are being asked for are mind bending. You would think now would be the time to snatch up homes but I am telling you that the bottom will not actually drop until next summer when these people realize they are not going to get what they are asking for. Think about what I said and watch for it to happen