TINSTAAFL Reminder

There is no such thing as a free lunch. I learned in history class years ago this phrase originated at a time when bars were trying to drum up business and would offer "free" lunches to those who would come in and pay to drink. So it is with many things in life--there may be a tempting hook or offer, but ultimately there will be some investment or payment required, whether or not it is disclosed. In my opinion and current situation, even a "FULL REBATE" isn't "FREE" for me, because i haven't yet created much of a slush fund, so i don't have the means to front for any offer or endeavor. Sometimes this means i "miss out" on some really good stuff. Sometimes the deals present themselves again; sometimes they do not. It's a good thing my parents taught me long ago to get used to hearing (and now saying) the word NO.

The $100 Game

As the year rolls to a close and i scurry around trying to tie up loose ends to achieve the illusion of temporary closure, I decided to play a new level of my one hundred dollar game. Below are the first few things that come to mind for consideration should I "find" an extra one hundred dollars among my assets or in near future. I might actually return to this after my birthday, pick a few, rank them, and start planning and saving. They're really not uber-extravagant wishes, but sadly, were not realities in 2012.

* a "free" (AFTER REBATE) smart phone and sim card, along with first month's service

* an "extra" payment on any of my open accounts (student loans, etc.)

* a 2-meter radio for Amateur operation

* new living room curtains

* charitable contributions to favorite organizations

* a driving day

* seed money toward a car, trip, bed, or new business venture

Dear [Proprietary Syrup that Would Have Alliterated]

your children's dose still tastes as gross now as it did 30 years ago, and it still makes me sleepy, but thank you for staying on the market, and more importantly, thank you for helping me to breathe again. Workplace cold? severe allergy attack? both? who cares, I'm going to be just fine.

Attitude Adjustment Time

If I sound petulant this afternoon, it is because I feel like i'm often missing out on "fun" because I choose to be responsible. This takes on several forms, but the one that contributes to my inner rage regards my weekends. I try to pack a lot into my weekends--errands, chores, sleep (I know, perish the thought), and more exciting activities like attending cultural, educational, or social events. Well, the rest of the world seems to think they can get by going everywhere sick so they can party later and meanwhile, I catch a stupid cold as a result of someone else not washing hands, but i'll be the one flat in bed on Sunday with a block for a head. I'm so tired of being tired, and so tired of paying the consequences of someone else's actions.

Dear Fashion Police: Please Help!

Dear Fashion Police, Ethicists and Good Citizens of the World: I need your help. There are those among us who continue to believe that stretchy pants are acceptable outerwear. Please advise them to the contrary. While i embrace them as absolutely fabulous items with which to layer a "look" or to wear simply for warmth, they truly should not be the main attraction of an outfit.  I find them more disconcerting than seeing flannel pajamas in public, which also should not happen (but usually at least cover the form adequately). Thank you most kindly, Good Citizens of the World, for assisting us all in becoming more presentable. Dearest Fashion Police, your job truly is a tough one and I commend you for your most noble efforts.

Saturday Morning Decision Paralysis

It's a decent day out there waiting for me to do something with it. I awoke early and reasonably rested. I have a list of things i'd like to accomplish. I thought i'd even made a draft plan before going to sleep to avoid this dilemma this morning. Why, then, is it so difficult to decide which direction to go first?

I suspect it's because every choice i want to make competes for time, money, and transportation. That makes a "quick run to the store" more of an adventure for me than for most. I have to walk or catch a bus. Then i get to wait in line, and depending on which place(s) i go, i also get to wait for the return trip. That time drain inevitably means that one or more options become mutually exclusive because one place will close before i can return. Sometimes i plan these elaborate loops to squeeze in as many of these in one trek as possible. It's great if i do them in the most efficient order and yet there's still the time drain in between each.

My favorite dilemma I plan to one day eliminate is (lack of) funding. Sure it would be great to go grab that special deal on notebook paper, then swing down to the grocery store and buy a bunch of cheap soda to resell for a fundraiser in a couple weeks. Watch a movie in a theater? Challenge to that is the reminder notice that came in the mail indicating a withdrawal is scheduled for Wednesday for more than is currently in the account (and pay day is NEXT Friday). oops. Maybe we go buy the cat supplies with alternate account, pull funds and run to the bank to deposit before it closes at noon. YAY. We have a potential plan, and a wasted half a Saturday.

At least the upcoming work week is set--Two off-site training days, committee and staff meetings, thank you lunch for our summer student assistant, and the return to the long Friday schedule. Thank goodness my psychological "paralysis" is only temporary, even if recurring.

"Instant Transfer"

...Why do "instant transfer" events take three to five business days to post to the accounts? If the money is "gone" immediately, should not you also be credited for making the payment? I'm just sayin'.