MM Confessions

[Pom]

We are "kind of" contemplating a vacation while Mr. P is laid off.  Nothing crazy, but maybe to my parents on the Gulf Coast and then the Florida Keys for a couple of days. ETA: we'd go between Christmas and New Years when positively no one would be in their office

If it was spring and/or we hadn't already closed up our cottage for the winter, we'd be on our way to Michigan.

Defense:
Why would we EVER do such a thing?
We spent the last 2 years worth of vacations handling care for FIL's illness, then death and estate issues. We are burnt out. 
IF he had a hot lead, we've got a shit ton of miles, he could fly back if he had to....

Somebody else come in here and confess something MM idiotic. Please?

[gardengal]

I just cashed out my 401k!







Jk. Go and have fun. He'll probably interview better refreshed & renewed!

[Pom]

Dec 6, 2015 19:39:50 GMT -5 gardengal said:

I just cashed out my 401k!







Jk. Go and have fun. He'll probably interview better refreshed & renewed!

JFC, I almost had a heart attack when I saw your first line.

You were supposed to flame me, not induce a MM stroke. LOL

[Pom]

Dec 6, 2015 19:38:02 GMT -5 @domerjen said:

I only check my credit cards like every 3mo.

Do you mean actually reviewing your statement?  

[Pom]

Dec 6, 2015 19:42:51 GMT -5 milsaroo said:

A house we're looking at (not the one I made the flooring poll about) doesn't have any appliances except the dishwasher. We would finance them all. I could lie and say it's because we don't want to spend a lot before the baby comes but it's simply because we can't afford it and don't want to be house shopping with a newborn.

I get that and would do the same thing.

[flatlan]

I have been spending like crazy since I separated from stbxh. I can afford it but really need to reign in the unnecessary spending bc it's not me. Although, I do enjoy the new clothes and bedding. ...

[Deleted]

I really don't see a problem with you taking time off Pom. I think it will do you both a world of good and hopefully Mr. Pom will come back refreshed and with some good ideas for what direction he next wants to go.

My isn't MM related, but I'm seriously annoyed I took 4th today. I had a good score for me, I made a huge improvement over last year, but being once place away, and only 9 points away from taking home a trophy and some cash is really chapping my hide. Also, the lady who took first is totally pretentious which irritates me even more.

[compassrose]

If anyone deserves a vacation, it's you guys. As long as it's not more than you can afford, why not? Have fun!

[irene adler]

Dude. Go and enjoy. You deserve it.

[sarapocalypse]

Yall should totally go! Nothing wrong with going on vacation now! Yall definitely deserve it.

My confession is that I have not tracked or budgeted our spending since we moved into our house and do not plan to get back on track until after the holidays. Trying not to go overboard and crazy with the spending, but haven't really thought twice about how things fit into our budget and how much we are truly spending. I realized today how nice a "budget break" feels and decided to not stress too much until after the holidays. We've had a lot of initial house costs over the past month and a half that I just feel like looking the other way until our spending settles down a bit.

[hamster]

You know that truck I was talking about buying "in the future"? Yeah. We went out that evening and bought it.

Btw, fully in support of a Pom vacation!

[orangeblossom]

Eh, I don't see a problem with it. You prepared for this day should it come, and on top of that co know you have the funds to cover it, even if he hadn't been laid off.

In other words, y'all have your stuff together. Take the vacation, start the new year fresh.

[Deleted]

Go for it, Pom . You two are very responsible, and I'm sure this won't cause you to go into debt, and you could both use some R&R after this year.

milsaroo , I know that appliance plan goes against conventional wisdom, but I say go for it if the house is otherwise great. This gives you a chance to get the appliances you really like, plus what's a couple thousand in appliances compared to the overall cost of the house? See if they can bump the house cost down a bit since it needs all the appliances. Also, shop around for the best credit interest rating (either one of your own CCs, or opening a store CC wherever you buy the appliances).

Here's my confession. Not too bad, but I'm not too proud of it either. I paid off my last CC in September, and we're back in CC debt somewhere between $500-700. I haven't checked the exact amount. It's some Christmas stuff and some random stuff on Amazon. We've been saving aggressively (and not spending very carefully) and the checking account is running low. I could pull money out of savings to pay that off, but I get a bonus at work either this week or next so I've let the CC bill rack up a bit and will use part of my bonus to pay it off. We got hit with financing a little in November since that's when I started using the CC again.

ETA: I feel like my life is a constant cycle of Pay Off Debt, Rack it Up Again...Pay Off Debt, Rack it Up Again...

[steph96]

Pom I'm pretty sure you guys deserve it! It's not like you are going into debt over it. Plus haven't y'all been talking about taking a trip for a long time? Go and have tons of fun!

[Roc A Bee]

I vote go.

My confession is that I've racked up 1k in cc debt. And I don't really care. My plan is to pay it off with my tax refund.

I too live in the cycle of pay of debt, rack it up, pay it off.

[mbcdefg]

You deserve a break, Pom. Money is just money, you can always earn more.

I'll probably use my CC a lot until next payday. I've already blown the latest one buying Christmas gifts.

[ellipses84]

Do it! Life is an eternal tug of war between time vs. money. You have the time now, so there's nothing wrong with taking a quick, MM vacation that is well deserved considering the past couple of years you've had. DH and I both were laid off within months of each other but I have a lot of happy memories of that time because we actually had time to spend as a family and we did some things that weren't the most MM but I have zero regrets.

My MM confession? This is so embarrassing. I'm normally so on top of paying bills, but I've been juggling so much this past year, working way too many hours, every free moment I'm parenting, often by myself while DH is working, dealing with a terminally ill parent, etc. I've had a few late payments on things, which is completely unlike me. The worst of which was when my mom and brother were visiting, DH was off that day and both kids were home with them. I was at work and they let me know the power went out and asked me to call the power company. I had an oh shit moment and realized I never paid the bill. They told me it wasn't my fault and they'd have to send more notices before shutting it off. I paid the bill and the power was back on within a few hours. I never even told my mom I later found the past due notices in the unopened mail!

[lurknomore]

Do it Pom. 100% support from me!

My confession: I had to pull money from savings to cover our cc bill in November and will in December too. We're doing some work on the house and I gave DH carte blanche with the credit card to buy new surround sound speakers, tools, whatever he wanted/needed to get the living room done. He took full advantage. Combine that with my recent "buy whatever I want" attitude...we're going to have to get back on track in January. First, I need to buy 8 more windows and a door for the house. *gulp*

[MNH2013]

Go Pom! You guys could use a break.

My MM confession, I put my class on my CC. The interest rate is crazy low on that card and I didn't want to pay it all in one sum. We will pay it off in a few months.

[UnderProtest]

GO ON A VACATION Pom!!!! You guys need the mental break after all that has happened this year. Give both of yourselves a break!

My MM confession?!?! I don't have a budget and I don't know much about our investments anymore. And I don't think I care to know.

[tacosforlife]

The amount we're spending on our vacation next month is totally flammable in light of our overall financial situation. IDGAF.

Go!

[Pom]

You guys are enablers,lol.

We have hit the ground running with his job search and we think this week might tell us more about how tough it's going to be, so we will be fluid with our plans for a possible trip.

[sfy]

I don't know that you were asking for opinions, Pom , but I guess I will be the lone dissenter. When my husband was looking last (although he was still employed), it took him nearly a year from the time he starting looking until the offer date. He started interviewing for his current role around month 9, but their process was lengthy and he didn't receive an offer for a few months after that. Obviously, each situation is different, but I know several people who have looked for that long or longer, and of course, it's always easier to find a job while you have a job. I would be very nervous right now, especially given that this is an industry-wide issue and I would not be spending money unnecessarily. I hate being the Debbie Downer and realize I'm totally in the minority, but I also think I'd be a bad MMer if I didn't at least throw that out there.

I'm thinking of planning a big (and also, expensive) private dinner party for my husband's birthday. He wanted a new car and I had to crush that dream, so now I'm trying to figure out if I should do this instead, even though it would be a serious budget buster. I shouldn't, but he's going to be 40 and I don't want to let it pass without something big. We could probably take a really decent island/Mexico vacation for less, so I'm just not sure (but given my husband's personality, he would probably enjoy the part more). I should have definitely started planning for this sooner.

[v]

Definitely go on vacation!!!

[pumpkin]

Pom, you have definitely earned a vacation and if a few days will make a huge difference in your stress and disposition it's totally worth it...so do it!!

As for a MM confession, I've gotten myself into some additional debt as of late and I'm not happy about. Just hoping work brings back OT so I can make some extra money

[audette]

Pom, you should go. It's not a super-expensive vacation, but it sounds like it will be awesome for clearing the mind and getting some good relaxation in, and that's just what you guys need.

My confession - we'll be pulling a chunk money out of savings this month.

[jwright]

Confession - I am loathe to spend money on making our house nicer (new furniture, yardwork, decorating) even though we have plenty of savings. Almost all of our furniture is hand me down or Craigslist, but I'd rather look at my healthy bank balance than invest in better pieces.

[Pom]

Dec 7, 2015 9:56:20 GMT -5 sfy said:

I don't know that you were asking for opinions, Pom , but I guess I will be the lone dissenter. When my husband was looking last (although he was still employed), it took him nearly a year from the time he starting looking until the offer date. He started interviewing for his current role around month 9, but their process was lengthy and he didn't receive an offer for a few months after that. Obviously, each situation is different, but I know several people who have looked for that long or longer, and of course, it's always easier to find a job while you have a job. I would be very nervous right now, especially given that this is an industry-wide issue and I would not be spending money unnecessarily. I hate being the Debbie Downer and realize I'm totally in the minority, but I also think I'd be a bad MMer if I didn't at least throw that out there.

I'm thinking of planning a big (and also, expensive) private dinner party for my husband's birthday. He wanted a new car and I had to crush that dream, so now I'm trying to figure out if I should do this instead, even though it would be a serious budget buster. I shouldn't, but he's going to be 40 and I don't want to let it pass without something big. We could probably take a really decent island/Mexico vacation for less, so I'm just not sure (but given my husband's personality, he would probably enjoy the part more). I should have definitely started planning for this sooner.

FWIW, I threw Mr. P a great 40th party and bought him a very nice watch. He was so happy. No regrets.

As for your advice on the job search/vacation, this is actually why we may not be going anywhere. These are my exact concerns and sadly, the industry is not in a good place and it is hard to say when a turn around will be on the horizon.  He is applying to similar industries that might be a fit, but who knows. If I only had a crystal ball. Mr. P's last job was first contact in January and start date in June. Before that, it was more like 2 months. Now, in the midst of a downturn, it's beyond scary.  Thank you for your input, we will be very mindful in making our decision.  

[sfy]

Dec 7, 2015 11:34:58 GMT -5 Pom said:

FWIW, I threw Mr. P a great 40th party and bought him a very nice watch. He was so happy. No regrets.

As for your advice on the job search/vacation, this is actually why we may not be going anywhere. These are my exact concerns and sadly, the industry is not in a good place and it is hard to say when a turn around will be on the horizon.  He is applying to similar industries that might be a fit, but who knows. If I only had a crystal ball. Mr. P's last job was first contact in January and start date in June. Before that, it was more like 2 months. Now, in the midst of a downturn, it's beyond scary.  Thank you for your input, we will be very mindful in making our decision.  

Ugh, I know, I should totally pull the trigger. I don't have much time to figure it out because I'd want to invite some of his friends who aren't local and ideally, I'd want to give them 8 weeks notice.

I'm sorry, I hated to say it because you guys SO deserve it, but I just thought I'd offer another POV (not that you hadn't considered it). I once heard a stat that it takes the average job seeker 1 month of searching for every $10K of income he/she is looking to replace. That was during the economic recovery period, but still, I found that really shocking. Anyway, FWIW, I have taken vacations before which weren't so prudent because I absolutely "needed" to, so I do get it.

[mskitkat]

I totally think you should go on vacation. You have been through too much lately.

My confession is this baby is coming in less than 4 months, and I haven't worked out any sort of budget. I'll be taking all 12 weeks off with half completely unpaid, and DH is taking an unpaid month off. I'm pretty sure we are going to eat our savings, and then we'll have to figure out how to rebuild while paying for daycare. I should be more stressed about that... but I'm not.