Why Does This Even BOTHER Me?

Ok. Recently at work, we've had people put up fun articles or sayings to read in the women's bathroom stall doors. Really inventive, as sometimes you just need something funny :) It makes me think of reading advertisements while I'm in a public bathroom. It keeps the trip to the bathroom fun and interesting. At least I don't have to stare at the floor or the ugly walls. Hum. I digress.

Reason for this whole post is not because of the articles in the bathroom (I really like those!), but most recently, while reading this month's little stall door article, I got "clentch-my-teeth" mad! Why? A really dumb and silly reason, such as not liking when articles tell me how to feel or how I'm reacting to their article. All I know is I was seeing the world in red after I left the room. Ok, so maybe not that mad, but I was slightly peeved.

Here is the article in question: http://www.laughitout.com/2010/01/you-know-you-are-living-2010-when.html

After reading this article I bet you were laughing yourself silly.

You are posting this article on Facebook right now!

You called your friend to tell her how much you are laughing at this story.

See. Isn't that annoying?! I'm not sure about you, but I REALLY hate when articles I'm reading are telling me what I'm doing! Please read on to see what was going on in my head.

12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing. [No I'm not. In fact I think this list is kind of pointless.]

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message. [Yes, my blog to make fun of it. Or the trash can... it's a toss up.]

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list. [Actually, this one is right. I didn't notice, but really, who wants to count the number of lines on a list, let alone be called out on paper for doing it... I sure don't. Thanks for making me feel like crap list.]

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list. [That I did, because I thought the list would be lying to me, and then the number after this was, "HAHA we totally tricked you! There is a #9, you are so gullible!" I was preparing myself for the shame.]

~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~ [You know those '~' symbols represent something mathematically, even if it is "rough estimate, poorly approximated." Please respect their origins and don't use them to accent your text. That's what bolding and italics are for. See: this blog post.]

NOW U R LAUGHING AT YOURSELF! [This is the part that really got me. A) Don't tell me what I'm laughing at, especially if it's at myself! B) Can you please spell out the words "you" and "are." Your list just lost whatever credibility it had left by using "text speak" in a post. I'm all for abbreviations, but I really hate when people don't write full sentences when they are using a word editor. To me, Twitter and speed texting is one of the only places to use "u" for "you" and "r" for "are"]

Is it just me or does anyone else feel this way? Of course, it's just some random article on a bathroom wall, but every time I see it I want to take it down! This is the smallest thing in the world - and I shouldn't let it bother me, so instead, I wrote this post to allow the article to bother YOU! Hooray!

Lots of love and pieces of chocolate,

Me

He Went And Put A Ring On It

Ok, so many of you now know that I got engaged! It happened on October 20, 2010. (I put the year for my reference later in life when I'm about 20,000 years old and can't remember dates).

I wanted to share the story, since some people have been asking and I haven't had the time.

The trip:

I had seen in 2008/2009 that they were going to build a Wizarding World of Harry Potter at

Universal Studios in Florida. Since I saw that news release, I had wanted to go. No joke. I wanted to see it with my own eyes! So I signed up for alerts and news breaks about it.

Fast forward to early 2009 - I had gotten an email from Universal offering me a great deal on a HP Wizarding World package; complete with commemorative tickets, a breakfast at the Three Broomsticks, early entrance, and much more. So after sitting down and trying to find a date, Brett and I picked October 19-24th! Hooray! (Time to start saving asap though)!

We arrived in Orlando late on the 19th and stayed in a cheap hotel that night just to catch up on sleep. The 20th was our first full day in Florida - and we really didn't have anything to do but check into our hotel. So we arrived at Universal Studios, checked our bags, and headed out to check out the sites. Since we didn't have park passes for that day, we spent our time browsing the shops at CityWalk, looking for sunglasses, laying out by the pool, and seeing what the other on-site hotels were like. It was a GREAT day overall. We made reservations at Emeril's Tchoup Chop Restaurant for dinner that evening. That dinner was pretty much THE BEST meal I had ever had in my life! Here's what I got: Mongolian Barbeque Grilled Pork Tenderloin Caramelized Sweet Onion-Orange Confit, Stir Fried Lomein Noodles I know right? Sounds delicious! Anywhoo - I wanted to be "European" and take a few hours to sit, relax and enjoy our meal. So after two+ hours, and a delicious orange cake dessert, we finally got up to leave. It was pretty late at this time and I was so full of food that I was just ready to hit the pillows. Brett had other ideas.

The proposal:

Brett: "Hey, lets go sit over here." There was this small beach/secluded area outside the resort area, surrounded by palm trees and plants.

Me: "That's silly. Why would I go over there? It's dark. I'm tired. Let's just go inside."

Brett: "No, I just want to sit for a minute."

Me: "Ugh... really?" Thinking I really just want to get to bed as we have to get up at the crack of dawn to get into

the parks early.

Brett: "Yes really. Please, just for a minute or two. It's really pretty."

Me: "Fineeeee."

So we go to sit down in this area and since we have nothing to do I decide to take some photos. They turned out a little dark, but you can at least see where we are. I look over at Brett and he has his serious face on. "Oh no. What's wrong?" I think (and say). This is how it goes....

"Remember when I went to Columbus a few months ago? I wasn't buying a game, I was visiting your parents. And remember when we were in Kentucky? I didn't go to Lowe's with my Dad, I went to a jewelry store." By now I'm starting to get the "subtle" hints he's dropping, and start kind of freaking out a bit. He gets up, comes around to my right side, gets down on one knee. I interrupt "Is this really happening??" He smiles, says a bunch of really great things (that I sort of blacked out for) and then pops the question, "Will you marry me?"

After a few seconds of realizing this was real, I squeek out "YES!" through a flood of tears.

We hug and it seals the deal. Of course, I cannot stop crying. Well balling is more like it. So much happiness just cannot be contained :)

So October 20, 2010 I got engaged. This was my story and I love it.

Our wedding date is set for May 2012. Lots of time to plan and get things ready! Happy times ahead and I cannot wait!

This Really Steams My Clams

Ok. We've all seen them. We've all scoffed at them. So why do so many people still fall for them?

I'm talking about those darn Money Mutual commercials with Montel Williams and Arsenio Hall. Really it's not just Money Mutual, there are several short term loan companies out there that really just need to stop existing. If you don't know or haven't seen them, here's the jist. A famous actor comes on TV asking if you're in need of some cash. "Of course," you think, "I always need more cash! Tell me more Mr. Famous Man!" Famous Man continues to tell you that you can get $1,000 today! You only need to make $800/month, have a job, are 18 or over, have a checking account, ***Plus other requirements! "Great! I have all those things! Mr. Famous Man, please tell me how I can get this too-good-to-be-true offer!"

Then they direct you to the website. Here their famous face is shining and the first thing you see! Good! You're in the right place. It asks you for some personal information, because how else can you be sure to receive the money? Now. Look closely. Did you read the Privacy Policy? Probably not. Read it here... My favorite part is The Way We Use Information. It goes on for days. By submitting your information, you give them the right to call you, text you, email you, send your information to other lenders, store your personal information electronically, use your SSN to get your credit reports and history, verify your eligibility for not just a loan, but other offers they may have, and the list goes on and on.

OK so let's say you say, "What the hey, I need that money now!" So you sign up, get approved and poof! $1,000 is in your account the next business day! What could go wrong now? Well, your next payday you'll be getting a bill or an auto debit from your checking account for the $1,000 + their fees/interest they charge. Money Mutual says they don't know how much it will really cost you because it's up to the individual lenders. True. But their FAQ on that topic really breezes over that it will cost you more, how soon you'll need to pay the money back, and how much interest you'll be charged. What if you can't pay back this first $1,000 you borrowed? No problem, just ask for an extension! Of course they'll keep charging you the interest..

Now, before some of you jump down my throat saying "But sometimes people really have an emergency and need cash right away!!" Yes. That is true. But that is probably NOT the most popular reason people go for cash advances. I wish I could conduct a study of what people use the money for. It would be anonymous of course, but I'm sure it would be really interesting. Did they need to make a vital car repair? Did they have to pay for an ambulance ride? Did they want a new big screen TV? These questions may never be answered.

So how do we combat these, what I believe to be, predatory advertisements? Education. Inform people of the risks and extra costs of these types of loans. Make sure they know to research other options before using a cash advance. Plan ahead - if you aren't having any financial troubles right now, great! Put some of your cash into a savings account that you don't touch and can access for emergencies. If you're already in debt, find a place you can go for a free financial planning session. Work on creating a budget that allows you to pay down your debt. Cut out unnecessary expenses. Shop with coupons.

The more you educate people about their finances, the less likely it is that they will take steps towards the swirling spiral of debt issues. Or at least that's what I believe. The best way to lend is by lending a helping hand.

Next on my "this steams my clams" segment: CRaZy FrEe LapToPs promotions! GET A FREE LAPTOP.... just sign up for 20 different offers, that may or may not cost you hundreds of dollars anyway.

*Money Mutual is not a direct lendor, nor are they affiliated with this blog, post, or blogger.

Blog Break

Ok - I've been super busy and haven't had time to post.

This is my update to say that I'll start writing new blog posts this summer.

I also hope to update the look :)

Never fear. I will return... at somepoint!

Thanks all!