In this thread we bitch about being broke

[tld221]

Originally Posted by DolphinChicaDDD

Right now, we have no stove. So we have to eat/take out. So we can't afford to buy a new stove because we are eating out. But if we bought a new stove, we couldn't afford to buy groceries. So we eat out. And because we eat out, we can't afford a new stove.

Its a vicious cycle! I can't wait until the beginning of the month so I can get paid again! We are seriously cooking everything on our one burner propane camping stove. Its getting to be a hassle.

oh wow. (((hugz)))

my family went through this with a broken refrigerator when i was younger. had to cook and eat everything in the same night, or risk eating food that potentially has spoiled overnight. its funny because i have lower standards about "old" food because of this, ie. throwing out milk past the expiration, keeping bread/cheese longer, preserving meat, etc.

[RaggedyAnn]

Originally Posted by DolphinChicaDDD

Right now, we have no stove. So we have to eat/take out. So we can't afford to buy a new stove because we are eating out. But if we bought a new stove, we couldn't afford to buy groceries. So we eat out. And because we eat out, we can't afford a new stove.

Its a vicious cycle! I can't wait until the beginning of the month so I can get paid again! We are seriously cooking everything on our one burner propane camping stove. Its getting to be a hassle.

I lived without a stove for 3 months when I first moved into an apartment years back. I used an electric grill and a microwave to cook everything. If you don't have one, maybe someone has one you can borrow?

[christiangirl]

^^Yeah, maybe cook at a friend's house and then bring the leftovers home? That way, you could just microwave for a few days.

My aunt taught me this inexpensive recipe...oriental-style ramen with a boiled egg and baby bok choy (or chopped green onion, whichever you prefer). Put it in a bowl with chopsticks and you'd think it came from a restaurant.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Jen

So I got a pre-paid credit card as a rebate on my contact lenses instead of the cheque they normally send. I was kind of pissed. More now since I had to get some stuff at Wal-Mart - necessities, like toothpaste and contact solution etc - only to find out they didn't support the card once I got the register. So I had to use the only cash I had that was supposed to last me until the end of the month. I now have $15 dollars to last me until December.

Brilliant.

(And so far I've found only ONE store that will accept these stupid prepaid credit cards ... despite some of the stores SELLING THEM. WTF?!)

WTF? It doesn't have a Visa or Mastercard logo?

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Jen

It has a mastercard logo.

I have no idea why it doesn't work at most stores. I am so fed up with this thing.

If it didn't swipe, they should have been able to type the number in. If that didn't work, they could have called the company that handles their card transactions to force it through.

[RaggedyAnn]

Originally Posted by Jen

So I got a pre-paid credit card as a rebate on my contact lenses instead of the cheque they normally send. I was kind of pissed. More now since I had to get some stuff at Wal-Mart - necessities, like toothpaste and contact solution etc - only to find out they didn't support the card once I got the register. So I had to use the only cash I had that was supposed to last me until the end of the month. I now have $15 dollars to last me until December.

Brilliant.

(And so far I've found only ONE store that will accept these stupid prepaid credit cards ... despite some of the stores SELLING THEM. WTF?!)

One thing a lot of cashiers don't realize is that when using those cards, if the purchase amount is over the value of the card, they have to put in the dollar amount, or the card will be declined. Also, I would recommend using it at a place that you won't return items-like the grocery store or for gas. I paid part of a tuition bill online with one I received. The reason is that if you do a return, a lot of registers will automatically recredit the card and if you don't have it anymore, your pretty much SOL.

[AGDee]

Sometimes you can get a pin for those cards and get cash.

I have lost my ATM card/debit VISA. My checking account was NOT emptied over the weekend, thank goodness and there is a block on it now, but now I have to try to figure out A) How to get cash from the bank when I'm working the hours they are open and B) How to use cash On the plus side, my gas will be cheaper for the next 5-10 business days since I have to use cash to pay for it.

ETA: Shall I note that 5-10 business days includes the Thanksgiving holiday AND Black Friday. Ugh!

On the other plus side, my dad decided to send me a check to cover the deposit for my daughter's band trip to Chicago. Thank you Dad!!!!!

If only I could deposit it without an ATM card. <sigh>

[Kappamd]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

One thing a lot of cashiers don't realize is that when using those cards, if the purchase amount is over the value of the card, they have to put in the dollar amount, or the card will be declined. Also, I would recommend using it at a place that you won't return items-like the grocery store or for gas. I paid part of a tuition bill online with one I received. The reason is that if you do a return, a lot of registers will automatically recredit the card and if you don't have it anymore, your pretty much SOL.

Exactly what I was going to say. When I worked in retail, people would get so pissy when I would tell them I needed to know the exact dollar amount on the card, because really, who keeps track? Or even know they have to, considering regular giftcards don't work like that.