Fashion

[LindaLatte]

Good Morning/Afternoon and thanks for getting us started, Jean.  I hope you love those earrings.  I remember that you are partial to hoops, and I am as well.  Sorry about all your rainy weather.  We are not supposed to get rain for a while, and we still need it.  Oh well.....  It must be exciting getting things in line for your Australia trip.   Glad you got some much needed rest last night.  I am eating and sleeping better, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.  No TSV for me, but I do like them.  I have just way, way many shoes already. 

Thank you, Karen.  I can use all the prayers and good wishes I can get.  Yesterday, I talked to Social Security, and it went better than expected.  Hope you can take care of some needed indoor chores while the weather isn't great.

Enjoy the pool party, twinny.  Glad Christopher is able to play soccer again.

I've been retired for quite a while, but I can certainly relate to your situation, Bernie.  My solution is to budget a certain amount per month to pay for expenses like property tax, insurance, etc. that only happen every six months or year.  But, it took a little while for me to get used to the idea of all the big bills coming at one time when I only get "paid" (my pension) once a month rather than every other week when I was working..  

Thanks, Barbara.  Hope your LA adventure is great, and Syd gets many opportunities.

Waves to all of our posters and readers.  I guess I'm in the same mode as Bernie in that I'm more interested in household stuff than my usual clothes and shoes.  

Have a nice Saturday everyone!

Hugs,

Linda

[KonaKat]

Bernie--One of the fun things you do when retired is to budget an amount each month and set it aside for those months in which everything seems to hit. Sometimes, it isn't easy or it becomes a month in which little is done or bought because of the financial hit.

Barbara--I hope you and Sydnie enjoy your time in California and she has a very successful time. I know the home school will be a great way to keep her current and on task with her arts school curriculum. Who knows what lies ahead for her? We have a local boy  who modeled, went to L.A., does commercials and goes to Europe often for modeling assignments. I haven't checked the fares lately, but my niece just got a round trip ticket from Columbus, Ohio to Sydney for $1131; Columbus to Houston to connect to the non-stop from Houston to Sydney.  It is a great place to visit; I was there ten years ago and always wanted to return.

Linda--All that paperwork and tying up things can be stressful. I think you, like Bernie is finding, is the reality that when retired you don't need clothing and shoes as much as you do household needs, or updates. I tried to talk myself out of those earrings. I hadn't slept well so I had gone to bed early. I awakened just before Midnight in time to get them. I took that as a sign I was meant to see if I liked them...and that meant ordering them. What an excuse!

I made a quick run to the city  and got my nails done, as well as picking up almost $40 grocery fill ins at WalMart. While going past the fashions, I saw several long cardigans that rivaled some of those shown lately on the Q.  I returned home quickly because of a flash flood warning issued for an area near me. I had lunch at home.

[Bird mama]

Barbara @sydsgma1  Best wishes from my house to you and your granddaughter.  I wish you safe travels, hope the homeschooling goes well and wish Sydnie much success.

[Bird mama]

Hey Linda @LindaLatte  It will take time for the appetite and ability to sleep to return to normal.  I had a lovely experience with the Social Secutiry office and that surprised me.  I thought it was going to be a nightmare and turned out to be a blessing.

[Bird mama]

@KonaKat  Aside from the monthly pension, I've allotted myself a set amount from savings every month. My monthly pension covers what I need plus allows for some 'fun money'. 

The money for the trifecta expenses is actually the savings allotment that I never used from April through August.

Does this make sense? 

[hsawaknow]

Hi everyone, yesterday I went to Michaels and bought a few fall items. Picked up 3 autumn scented candles for 10.00 and a garland to hang over my VPH magnolia lighted swag garland to add some color to my room Im in the process of redecorating. 

Im also going thru the 'trifecta' my car registration is due, insurance renewal and smog test. California requires your car get smog tested every other year. So that leaves me very little money left for treats for me. I did manage to buy 2 Breezie Bras and some Philosopy on the flash 4 ez pays.

Anyway, hope your all enjoying this beautiful summer day, sorry about the rainy New York day happy shopping!

Felicia

[Bird mama]

Felicia @hsawaknow  Now that you mentioned it, I also had to buy license tabs for the new car I bought in October.  I had become accustomed to paying $70 annually and it had been 8 years since I bought a car.  It's now $160 +.

In Michigan they take it off the top 

I have a bottle of Unconditional Love 3 in 1 gel that was part of a TSV last December (I think).  It's not the huge mambo size - it's 32 oz.  I like to use it in the fall/winter so I am looking forward to that.

Many years ago Michigan went through a phase of requiring us to have our emissions checked on the car.  They tended to waive the requirement for the people who had the worst performing and old cars which never made sense to me.

It was always a comfort knowing that my car passed and that I wasn't responsible for choking birds out of trees 

[hsawaknow]

@Bird mama

California used to have the exemption if your car was over 20 years old, then they changed that and  now every car has to be smoged. If your car is over 10 years, like mine is, you have to take it to a special 'star certified' smog tester, which basically means your going to pay more then 40.00 it cost me 80.00 prices vary by automobile, miles and age of car. Just another way for the state to make more money. 

Used to be the older your car the less your tags cost, now the tags keep going up. Its so expensive to live here,but I have lived here all my life and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Everything is right here in the Bay Area so I probably shouldn't complain.lol

[KonaKat]

Bernie--Yes, your approach makes sense. We have to handle those big expenses timed to hit at once in the manner that works best for us.

Felicia--Your Fall decorations sound lovely and at a reasonable price, unlike all those car expenses.

Did I mention getting a set of four new tires, balanced and aligned for almost $700 with the labor included? The quarterly payment on the house insurance also hit, plus real estate and personal property taxes. I also owe the state an estimated tax payment as I accidentally underpaid regular taxes last year. I think they should give retired people more of a tax break. At the end of the month, I also plan to get the car detailed and a protectorant put on as it is nearing 3 years of service to me and needs a little revitalization. The protectorant supposedly lasts 18 months.