Archive results for “January 2011f 2011”
On this page you will find the search results for the search term that you queried.
I called B of A again today to check the status on our application for the Making Home Affordable program. After being transferred 7 times, I was finally transferred to someone who knew what they were talking about (VERY few and VERY far between). He looked through my application and told me my 2009 tax information was not in my file.
“I’m staring at an exact copy of the information I sent. The 2009 taxes were in there.” I replied.
“Well mam, I can only tell you what I see” he said annoyed. “Also, the paycheck stubs you submitted were from September. That’s too old.”
“That’s because I submitted the application in SEPTEMBER. They were current when I sent them” I said angrily.
“No underwriter will accept old stubs and missing tax information. You’re going to have to resubmit everything” he said coolly.
“Spend hours collecting and packaging information only to have you lose it and have to retry in three months?” I asked.
“Looks that way doesn’t it” he responded.
I get it.
I finally get it.
I understand why people get so fed up, they walk away. I get why they rip apart their homes when they leave. I get why our neighbor set his house on fire when he was forced to leave. I get why there is so much anger.
We started this process a year and a half ago and I’m still sitting firmly on square one.
I have to admit, I picked up the phone immediately after slamming it down on Bank of America and dialed our bank. I was planning on closing our mortgage checking account to simply get the attention of this awful, awful bank. Miss a payment? Or two? Or ten? Yeah, maybe they’d actually get a hint that this fight has just begun and now I’m willing to play dirty.
About 20 seconds into listening to a particularly bad rendition of a Yanni song, I hung up.
Who am I kidding? As much as I dislike them and wish ill on them as a company, I refuse to change who I am. They may be the biggest group of underhanded dirty liars, but I’m not.
Thank you Bank of America for making me miserable. Thank you for reminding me that I can’t stand being under your thumb. Thank you for inspiring me to be debt free including the mortgage because every minute with you in my life is too long.
My sister had to take my mom to Urgent Care yesterday (lest dad be ever so lonely in having health concerns). I called to ask if they needed company while they waited for test results and they declined but asked if I wouldn’t mind stopping to pick up my six year old nephew who was sitting with them at the hospital.
I loaded my nephew into the back of my car and about 15 minutes into our traffic jammed commute, he started crying. 15 minutes after that, he was sobbing. Sure I understand. Grandma is in the hospital, mom is busy, it’s scary, and he’s tired but…
I have absolutely no idea what to do with a crying kid.
You’d think I’d be experienced at this since I’ve got 11 nieces and nephews, but crying in traffic? No clue.
I gave him my iPod which kept him entertained for 10 minutes, until the battery died. After that, more crying.
We sat in traffic for another 40 minutes until my gas light blinked on. “I’m sorry buddy. I’ve got to stop for gas. We’ll be home soon OK?”
Silence.
Long drawn out sniffle.
“Can I get candy in the gas store?” he whispered.
“Sure buddy. Anything you want.”
“Can I get TWO candies?” he asked, the tears drying in his excitement.
“Possibly cause diabetes? Contribute to childhood obesity? Sure. Why not?” I replied.
“How about a large soda too?” he asked.
I was willing to buy part ownership in Shell gas station if that’s what it took to make him stop crying.
He picked out the two largest bags of candy, filled up a soda cup the size of his head, and off we went to sit in traffic again. There wasn’t a single tear the rest of the way home and I got a huge ‘Thanks Auntie Beks!!’ with a hug before he left (I didn’t mention the sugar overload to my sister – I value my life far too much).
I can say no to myself all day long but to kids? I’m putty. If this experience is any indication of my future financial and health dealings with my own children… I’m dead.
I laughed out loud when Angie brought up ‘The Great Pee Debacle of 2010’ in her comment on yesterday’s post. (For those who missed ‘the great pee debacle’, see the house-sitting post here for an explanation)
Seriously awesome name for a bad experience. Totally worthy of a blog title.
A few people brought up the dog sitting/roommate mess and to be honest, yes, that is a big part of the reason my husband is done with roommates. Even now, we both grumble a bit when mopping our warped floors and we were disappointed we couldn’t sell our old couches because of the pee stink.
I forgot to mention that our raises will cover the amount we usually receive in rent (when you don’t charge much in the first place, you don’t miss it) and will actually enable us to pay a little more than we usually do on debt. Our emergency account is fully funded again.
We came out ahead!! Yes!
And for the inquiring minds… the person who house-sat for us and caused ‘the great pee debacle of 2010’ is moving in with my brother when they close escrow.
My husband, who is normally the sweetest man on the planet, let an evil grin slip out when he heard the news. I think I even heard him sing a song about Karma while mopping the warped floor.
Our roommates (my brother and his wife) have been working on purchasing a short sale house for the last few months. If you’ve ever purchased a short sale, you know the only thing ‘short’ about them is the name. They take FOREVER to buy.
*For those who don’t know, ‘a short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property’s loan’ (thanks wikipedia)*
My husband and I purchased our home almost four years ago as a short sale and understand the headache the process can be.
Tonight, the bank accepted my brother’s offer in conjunction with the original owner’s contribution to the property loan shortage. We are happy for them as this is a new and exciting step in their lives…
BUT…
Goodbye rent money.
My husband is ready to have a roommate free house and in reality, it couldn’t come at a better time since we both received raises, but I’m having a hard time letting go of the security blanket.
My husband convinced me that, for at least a little while, we need ‘us’ time.
When are they officially moving out? Somewhere between 14 and 120 days. Gotta love the solid answers from banks.
Two months ago, I was told I would receive a double step promotion at work. I immediately started working in the position and signed all my correspondence with ‘Interim’ and my new position title.
A few weeks went by and I inquired when I could drop the ‘Interim’ from my title. No one knew.
A few more weeks went by and well… I started to get a bit grumpy. Was I going to forever be the ‘interim’ person and never officially be given the title?
More weeks passed and I think management was starting to pick up on my foul mood – never a good thing. They took me aside and explained that they were waiting for my scheduled merit increase to become effective before processing paperwork for the new position. Why? Because they didn’t want me to have to negotiate a promotion salary AND a merit increase.
Oops.
I flashed a bright smile, thanked them for considering both increases, prayed they’d forget my foul mood, and walked out with my tail between my legs. They were being beyond kind and I thought they were just dragging their feet.
As promised, my merit increase was added last week and I was immediately called to sign paperwork for the promotion. When they announced they wouldn’t negotiate my new salary, I was a bit disappointed. They told me I would be getting a 10% increase and smiled at me as though they had just announced I would get a new Mercedes. Bratty me was a bit saddened. I kinda hoped for 15%. At that rate, I’d finally be back to where I was before the recession.
I thanked them and went back to my desk, my mood deflated. HR stopped by about 15 minutes later to drop off the copies of my paperwork and whispered, ‘Just so you know, the president has never signed a 10% increase before – even for a double step promotion. You’ve obviously got management heavyweights who fought for you. Congrats!!’
I felt about 2 inches tall.
My managers did so much and how did I respond? Like a spoiled child. I have to remind myself that this isn’t 2005.
I spent the rest of the afternoon like my old self – smiling, laughing, working hard.
I’ve got a lot of making up to do.
Twice a year, many local restaurants participate in ‘San Diego Restaurant Week’. Restaurants discount their regular prices significantly in an effort to encourage continuing patronage. My husband suggested I use part of my cash Christmas gift to go to an eatery with…
SERVERS.
*gasp!*
I guess someone is tired of the fact that only food places we visit (and even then, we rarely go out) ask if we would like our order supersized.
Off we went to participate in ‘motivating’ the economy. I was ecstatic.
Thirty dollars later, I sat with fully content at the table after thoroughly enjoying warm bread, caesar salad, filet mignon, and crème brulee with fresh strawberries.
I crawled into bed thinking… ‘Best Christmas gift ever!!’ Three and a half hours later… I was thinking, ‘WORST Christmas gift ever!!’ as I suffered the nastiest bout of food poisoning I have ever had.
I don’t believe in karma but at 1 AM, when brain function is a little on the fuzzy side, I start to think that karma has taken vengeance on me for my frivolous spending. By 3 AM, I demand karma stop being mean because I’d really like to part ways with the porcelain god.
I finally struggled back into bed around 3:30 and angrily pounded at my alarm when it started beeping loudly just over an hour later. I skipped a shower, threw on clothes that didn’t match, and dragged my sick body into work, the whole time feeling guilty about my spending.
My boss walks in and does a double take. I start to explain about my shambled appearance when he interrupts, ‘Didn’t you get food poisoning?’
‘Huh?’ I ask.
‘Everyone we sent offsite for training got food poisoning from the free chicken burritos. They all called in sick.’
HAH! Take that karma!! It wasn’t my $30 dinner! It was my love of free food!! Well… free anything for that matter.
Ugh. I’m going to bed for the weekend. At least the guilt from spending is gone.
Someone gave me cash as a gift for Christmas with strict instructions…
DON’T SPEND IT ON DEBT.
Hmm. I guess I’m a smidge predictable.
I went to the mall to pick out a new pair of tan work slacks. Mine are currently being held together by a hair tie and a safety pin. No, I’m not joking and yes, my shirt always covers it. Geez, I’m not THAT unprofessional.
I went to Fashion Valley mall here in San Diego. It’s a distance from my house but I made the trek because the place is huge and it has a good mix of cheap and expensive stores. That way, when I started to feel silly about shopping at Forever 21 at 30 years old, I could escape to H & M. Then, after discovering that both those stores make clothing that only lasts one wash cycle, hence the safety pin/hair tie situation, I’d end up at Nordstrom.
Sigh.
I had blow money burning a hole in my wallet. Money with no specific need. Money to spend on whatever I wanted…
And all I found was a $9 clearance sweater…
Long enough to cover the safety pin and hair tie.
At this rate, I’ll have the money spent by 2014.
About This Site
My Debt
- Original Debt: $38,495.86
- Added Debt: $1,781.50
- Total Debt: $40,277.36
- Paid: $36,084.36
- Remaining: $4,193.00
- Broken Down
- Auto Loan 1: $0.00
- Credit Card: $0.00
- Student Loan: $4,193.00
- Auto Loan 2: $0.00
- Vet Loan: $0.00
Categories
- :)
- About Me
- Blogging Buddies
- Book Reviews
- Bump Update
- Carnivals/Festivals
- Childcare
- Confessions
- Coupons
- Credit Cards
- Credit Reports/FICO
- Debt Updates
- Educational Spending
- emergency fund
- Financial Peace University
- food
- Food Review
- Free Stuff
- General Debt
- General Personal Finance
- Giveaways
- Giving
- Good Info
- health
- Holiday
- Home Ownership
- identity theft
- Insurance
- job loss
- Keeping Motivated
- Kids & Money
- Legal Battle
- Life After Credit Card Debt
- Life Experiences
- Living Frugal
- Loans
- Making Home Affordable Program
- Making Money
- Misc
- Money & Relationships
- Monthly Spending
- Morals and Money
- Net Worth
- Parties
- Picks and Pans
- Prosper Borrowing
- Quicken Tips
- Reducing Debt
- Saving Money
- Spending Money
- taxes
- unemployment
- Ways I Save Money
- work
Finance Blogging Buddies
- Beachgirl’s Budget Blog
- Becoming and Staying Debt Free
- Boston Gals Open Wallet
- Debt Free Hispanic
- Debt Kid
- Debt Reduction 101
- Dual Income No Kids
- Everybody Loves Your Money
- Financial Hack
- Free Money Finance
- From the Brink of Bankruptcy
- Generation X Finance
- GRACEful Retirement
- Grad Money Matters
- It’s Your Money
- Josephsangl.com
- Kick Debt’s Butt
- Lazy Man and Money
- Low Income Life
- Make Love Not Debt
- Mapgirl’s Fiscal Challenge
- Mighty Bargain Hunter
- Million Dollar Savings Club
- Money for Military
- Money is My BFF
- Money, Matter and More Musings
- My 1st Million at 33
- My Money Blog
- My Plasectomy
- My Two Dollars
- No Credit Needed
- One Million and Beyond
- Personal Finance Advice
- pfblogs.org
