Dollar Stretcher Community

Magazine subscription troubles

mamasjob — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:01:39 GMT

Sorry for a long post. First, we only subscribe to one magazine, Sports Illustrated, and I've gotten DH that for his birthday for the last few years with NO PROBLEMS. I only buy the basic subscription (52 weeks) and the extras are not included (he does not want the swimsuit issue, thank goodness). I sometimes buy the "season preview" issues for stocking stuffers but for the most part, he is very happy with his weekly issue and then when done, takes it to school and the kids can read it during free time.

Anyway...got the notice to renew at the low price of $72 a year, which is what I have been paying. It comes with a free subscription so we get 2 annual subscriptions for $72, which makes each issue less than $1. So we have been giving my father in law a subscription as well for a gift for both birthday/christmas and also as a thanks for several large projects he has helped us with at our new and old house (plumbing, electrical work, using his circ saw to make baseboards for us, borrowing his pickup at least once a month, etc). He won't take cash from us so this was a gift I know he enjoys and makes us feel like we are giving back to him.

So I sent my check for $72 with the renewal form, made sure our contact info was correct and thought that was the end of it. Yesterday, I received a confirmation in the mail of receipt of my $72 along with an invoice for my "next payment of $24 due December 15, 2009." I called the 1-800 number and did not get through to a rep after waiting 18 minutes so hung up. I will try again today.

Even though I would have consumer protection, I did not want to use my credit card to pay because (1) trying to not use my credit card and (2) fear that it would just get an annual renewal every year and charged without being able to decide if I wanted to continue and no say in price.

Do any of you think this is a scam? I do not plan on paying the additional $24. I received another "renewal offer" a couple of weeks ago with the SAME $72 offer. No where did it say it was multiple installments or billed at a higher price. I kept it as proof when I finally talk to someone. If the rep says they won't renew without the $24, I will cancel but then have the hassle of trying to get my original $72 money back (checked was cashed within 5 days, of course).

I'm beginning to detest magazine subscriptions. I cancelled 3 others in the last year and keep getting "bills" and telemarketing phone calls (which I politely tell them I cannot afford the subscription at any price and please do not call). The reason I continued the Sports Illustrated was (1) the great price; (2) it was a nice gift for DH and his dad; and (3) I've not had any problems in the LAST 3 YEARS until now.

Besides telling me I shouldn't subscribe to magazines (which is my lesson), any advice or anyone in a similar situation ever?

Abusing the system

digginout — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:30:17 GMT

I have a friend who recently applied for and is recieving foodstamps or I should say the new ebt card. The first month she got only 2 weeks payment as she insisted it was an emergency.She is also claiming disability because she does not want to work. She spent that $130 in 1 week. Her husband is active duty military and makes plenty of money she just can't manage it. This month she recieved $280 for food and spent the entire amount in 6 days. She has NOTHING to show for it. She spent 90% of that money buying candy and pop for herself and children. I kid you not that yesterday she said her 2 year old had just come home from head start and was in heaven because he had a giant pixie stick (giant plastic tube of flavored sugar) in one hand and a bottle of pop in the other. Let me repeat this child is 2 years old. She will then complain in the same conversation that her children have ADD (they have 3 of them). I really wish the goverment would put a tax on pop and junk food so people like this can't waste tax payer dollars creating more problems with dental and health care burdens that the rest of the country has to pay for.

This situation really kills me because I was raised by a single mom who had 3 children. We grew up on foodstamps, welfare, commodities, food bank handouts, the christmas gift programs and probably whatever else there was. My mom worked her butt off to try and support us and never complained. Now this friend comes along. We currently live in Michigan and the unemployment rate is one of the worst in the country. Rather than being greatful for her husbands garunteed job, 100% free healthcare, and no housing cost she does this. I often get off the phone wanting hit her up side the head, then again I know it will do no good as she is living in her own little world and no amount of reality will penetrate it. The worst part is that the 3 children are the biggest victims and they have no voice.

I love making candy bouquets!

luchik — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:23:21 GMT

I enjoy making candy arrangements. It all started about 2.5 years ago. since then I haven't been able to stop:)

I posted some of my candy bouquet projects (pictures and instructions) here.

My very sick service doggie, Heart

Deborahmichelle — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:25:42 GMT

Dear All, I am typing w 1 finger. I am cradling Heart. We have an appt w a vet dermatology specialist this aft. She has chewed off half of the hair on her tail & large patches on her haunches.

Our Trainer,Ana, said that I wasooking at it all wrong. Heart is a very healthy dog who has gotten bitten. What could bite her? Why, bedbugs still in the apt!

The textiles are free of bugs, but nit the carpet & furnishings,

I received my Jewish Family & Children"s Services food delivery yesterday, but did not write any email or posts all day. Instead, I phpned Anne CCliatt to thank her. She asked me what is wrong &wheb I explained she said that JFCCCS might be able to haul eerything away & refurnish my apt. They are good beyond any mesure to me! She alerted Abby Kovalsky,CChief of Disability & Adult Services. Of course, it may just be the pesticide that got to Heart, in all the carpet, but we still would have to move out all the furniture, & get & install new Carpet.

The dermatologist willl weigh in this adt.

Heart has learned how to take the Elizabethan collar off w her front paws, which is why she has been able to self-mutilate.

I keep her in my arms f hours on endm including at night, but have to let go sometimes.

I tried on Tues to get an emergency derm appt, but couldn't get obe till today, Thurs.

Yours in Him, Deb

Friday November 20 $$$ Stretching

Virginia Needlewoman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:27:37 GMT

How are you stretching $$$ ?

Babs

Virginia Needlewoman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:14:32 GMT

I haven't given up on the church that had the Pig Roast. I will give it some more tries.

But.....I was asked to join one of my friends and her family at a Methodist Church the night before Thanksgiving for their services. I jumped at the chance to join her.

In the past I've attended services at Methodist Churches, so I know what to expect.

Are you a Black Friday Shopper?

dmc_2008 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:51:54 GMT

I used to get up early and head out for the fun of it, a long time ago. However, with the economy in the toilet and people already financially tense I don't believe I really want any part of it this year. It could get ugly!

Are you going shopping, are you brave?

Are You a Nerd?

Toni B. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:13:00 GMT

Is there a topic or subject that you're interested in but most people would be surprised to find you're interested in? Are there programs or TV shows that captivate you? Are there websites you visit frequently? Do you belong to any clubs or organizations? For example, I visit NOAA website for nationwide weather tracking and USGS for tracking earthquakes mostly in Southern Calif. Share your "Inner Nerd" here.

Homemade Milkshakes

Brandy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:34:21 GMT

I treated myself to an early Christmas present. I never replaced my blender after it broke so we have gone awhile without one. Today I picked one up. I don't have any of my milkshake recipes anymore so I looked for some online.

Thought I would share one I found: Best milkshake recipes

Does anyone have any other recipes to add?

how to whiten lingerie fabric?

cherylm — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:03:13 GMT

i have some bras that are in good condition, but dingy. what can i use to make them white again without damaging the fabric?

Newbie needs instructions

queenofcaffeine — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:05:08 GMT

Hello,

Would someone please point me in the right direction? I'd like to sign up for a couple of coupon trains :)

Thanx

November 2009 Angel food menu?

CTMOMto4 — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:09:28 GMT

I noticed that some will be getting their AF boxes this weekend (10/17)-does anyone already know what the Nov 2009 signature box and specials will be?

We here at DS knew this would happen...

slk2042 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:59:10 GMT

Millions of workers will have to repay part of the Obama tax credit. Read about it here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091116/ap_on_bi_ge/us_tax_credit_pickle

There were several threads a while back that discussed this. Here are the ones I recall:

1. http://community.stretcher.com/forums/p/11391/118524.aspx#118524

2. http://community.stretcher.com/forums/p/10613/110217.aspx#110217

3. http://community.stretcher.com/forums/p/10892/113368.aspx#113368

(Maybe the financial powers that be should just come here first before they institute new policy...we are so smart!)

Line-Drying

PsykoKat — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:55:17 GMT

I would like to hear whether anyone here has switched partially or completely over from electric drying to line drying their clothes and actually noticed any saved money on their electric bill...

Thanks!

Plans for Christmas 2009

timzagain — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:46:22 GMT

I know its a bit early, but have you given any thought to planning for Christmas 2009?

Here are some of the things I'm looking at:-

Christmas Eve Dinner - even with the simplification of the menu, I was still stressed and too tired to enjoy the evening. I still spent a lot of money on food, rentals (not enough chairs at my house) etc. I am seriously thinking of either having it catered or semi-catered or better yet, going out to eat!
Gifts - start shopping NOW! I start shopping a few months in advance for the nephews, nieces etc, and that works well - those gifts were all bought by early November. The part I HATED about shopping this year, was trying to find gifts for our kids, DH and really close relatives. I tend to buy them later in the year, when I get a clearer picture of what they want, but it was too much stress this year.
Gift wrapping - make more fabric gift bags during the year. I sew often - there's no reason why I can't make a bag or two as I am working on other projects. It's a lot better that trying to sew 25 bags at the same time!
Christmas Savings Account - I haven't done it in previous years, but I think I will start right now by setting aside a few $$ every month.

Requests for gift cards and other gift-giving issues

karenteacher — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:15:35 GMT

I asked my mother what gifts would be appreciated by my stepfather, his son, daughter-in-law, and their kids - and the answer was, for all of the adults, gift cards. I have a problem with this; I don't like giving gifts cards, for the same reasons I don't like giving cash - it's impersonal, I almost always spend more on gift cards than gifts, both to not appear too cheap and because gift cards cannot be bought on sale, and I don't particularly like when people ask for cash. I mean, great, they're saving for something they want to buy at Best Buy that costs several hundred (or more) dollars - but I see requests for gift cards as little more than begging for cash. Opinions on people who ask for gift cards? Ideas for solutions?

In addition, I see my step-father's son and his family only once a year - I doubt we would recognize each other if we passed on the street, as we were all adults when our parents married (a second marriage for both) - and while I have no problems at all buying gifts for the kids, by the time I buy gifts for the parents as well I've spent well over $100, and have yet to recieve a gift I haven't returned, because we really don't know each other; they insist on buying me a gift because I buy something for their kids, and I'm not comfortable not giving them a gift in return. My mother asks for a list, which I give her - but my sister-in-law has yet to buy a gift on the list, and has never bought something I had any use for (last year she bought a fondue pot that required a sterno can or similar open flame source - I returned it for most of the cost of a rug I'd been wanting to buy) - and the average value of the things I've managed to return has been around $25. I don't mean to sound ungrateful - but they all live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, so I generally end up driving there with my dog, which costs $150-250 round trip, then I spend money on gifts for adults I don't know, so they can buy a gift for me - and while I buy something from the list my mother recommends, I don't know that they've ever gotten anything they want either. I crocheted some trivet/hot pads and asked my mother if they might like something like that, but apparently they don't cook a lot, and she doesn't think they'd use them - what they apparently want is some type of flat screen projection TV (I'm not really sure - my mother wasn't either), which is why they want gift cards. The kids are easy - the older one, a girl, likes books (she spent 2 months reading the set I bought her last year), and the boy likes building toys, so he's probably getting k'nex, unless I get another recommendation. But I don't know what to do about the parents, and my step-father wants gift cards too - he's saving for something else at Best Buy (I can't remember what) in the $300-400 range. I really can't afford to spend $75-100 for gift cards if I can come up with a better solution... but I have no idea what that might be.

And then there's work... for those who don't know, I'm a special education teacher, and in the past, I've given gifts to every teacher who works with my students, along with every member of the special education department and a few other people on staff - last year I gave out homemade cookies and home-dried fruit. Due to a rearrangement in how we deliver services, that could be as many as 40 people... and I don't have the same relationship with people I work with this year as I did last, so I'm thinking of changing it... but I'm known for giving something to everyone, and I'm not sure what to do - although I may give dried fruit again; it went over big last year (in fact, a couple of people cited weight concerns, and didn't want the cookies), and I've got lots. But other ideas would be welcome.

Envelope system

Carmina — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:19:18 GMT

Does anyone here use it? I only use it for emergency fund (so DH can't touch it). Does anyone here use an envelope for clothing expenses, school, medical, dental expenses also? I was reading Dave Ramsey and it sounds like these items use an envelope. Does anyone here like/dislike this system? I wouldn't use it for anything I already pay online on through bill pay (it's free anyway).

Carmina

Snap benefit will be much lower come next month

lboone — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:43 GMT

My job will cause my snap benefit to be lower come next month. we are looking at 700 now down to 159 (according to estimator) (actually pretty acurate). I guess that is good in a way as it means we have a much greater income. I just wished that they would deduct health ins. I finally got hired in with full benefits.

My SNAP/Food Stamps appeal re my lowered Section 8 rent amount

Deborahmichelle — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:01:13 GMT

Dear All, I have a slam-dunk appeal to pursue regarding a SNAP/Food Stamps Noticze of Action. I receive $200 in EBT monthly, but I just was notified that the amount will ber educed to $179 ($21 down) because my SEction 8 rent was reduced by $28. I am appealing by telephone & iin writing -- by telephone because 11/1 is so soon, & I want to be sure that they understand that I want my full benefits to continue while I'm appealing. By wwriting so tht I can get my argument across without any mistake. My reason that I know I will win is thtt my medical expenses of $650-ish/mo are so high that I am entitled to more than $200, it jsut is thta Z$200 is the maximum that can be given.

SO, I'm not worried aboout this at all & do not need any prayers! Yorus in Hiiim, Deb

November '09 SNAP/Food Stamps

Deborahmichelle — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:43:25 GMT

Dear Tracy LateNightLeader, You posted in Oct thread that you have $35 left till Fridday in SNAP/FS EBT. I'm sure it was you even though you've changed your handle, for all of the details were customary for your family. I hope that everyone gets wellll soon, & especially that you are right that you don't need to shell out any cash for grocieeeres before Fridday. Love in Him, Deb

TOY SAFETY - Holiday giving

Toni B. — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:58:57 GMT

Happened to be surfing the web and saw a headline about the Top 10 Worst Toys for 2009. Wanted to remind people to make sure they look for these lists on before they spend money on something that is a bad idea.

What was for Supper?

nattieandtjmom — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:02:56 GMT

I am always interested to see what other people are fixing for supper. I meant to do this last night, but oh well. So post what you had I will start and if anyone wants a recipe just ask

OK we had

Ritz cracker pork chops

fried potatoes

corn

and homemade chocolate pudding (my first time making it) yummy

Shannon

Easy way to help-

tracyinmn — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:15:54 GMT

Our local foodshelves benefit from this, and with winter coming to a state still in recession, could you click? My hope is with all of you clicking, we can top $100 for the food shelves! Click and forward, takes about 25 seconds, if you will. One in seven households in the US is INSECURE in food- a tragedy in the midst of a land that is the breadbasket of the world.

Thanks for your click, a foodshelf can take your dollar and turn it into several dollars worth of food, a click is significant.

Thank you, my friends.

Tracy

Kare 11 & Land O'Lakes are donating $1 for every person who clicks on their web site. Go to the website listed below and on the top right side of the screen a where it says: You Click, We donate. It's that easy.

Please pass to all of your friends. I know that the food shelves are really hurting this year.

http://www.landolakesinc.com/default.aspx

Finest Deal from Walmart, Black Friday Price Cuts

maureenjo — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:02:54 GMT

Enjoy your Thanksgiving with some amazing price cuts from walmart.

– Magnavox Blu Ray Disc Player for $78
– Sanyo 50″ Plasma HDTV for $598 (was $900)
– Tom Tom 3.5″ GPS for $59
– Kids’ licensed character sleepwear $3
– $7 fleece reversible jackets for the family
– Barbie Power Wheels Ride-On $88
Walmart Black Friday Price Cuts

Quality appliances II - stand mixer?

TizzyLizzy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:05:36 GMT

The food processor thread got me thinking about a stand mixer again. I'm afraid dh might be trying to get me one for xmas, and I'm not sure of the quality brand names anymore.

I had a KitchenAid that dh bought me 6 years ago that only lasted 4 years! I was so disappointed - someone said they sold out and were now using plastic bearings and didn't last. And it was not cheap.

I've been buying yard sale ones since then and I only give $5.00 or so and buy another when it gives out, but they're really only for cake mixes and light cookies. I'd like a heavy duty one again that would do heavy bread doughs and double-batches of things.

Any recommedations? What's the better quality one out there right now? Liz.