http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DilbertDailyStrip/~3/4w5X21os-N4/

http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2009-11-12/

"I realized just how effective the demonization of welfare has been when I was actually shocked to hear kids, in a show targeted at other kids, being led in a chant that said being poor or on welfare shouldn’t be shameful and did not reduce their worth as human beings. Can you imagine a TV show, even on PBS, putting something like this on the air today? Our public discourse at this point says that being on welfare is shameful, and that those receiving it in fact aren’t “somebody.” They are dependents, lazy loafers, and their kids are just additional burdens on the state; they don’t have the same rights to dignity and respect as other citizens, and they certainly shouldn’t expect to get it."

[Source]

This picked up my mood considerably today. And while it's not specifically advice or a suggestion of some kind, maybe it'll pick up someone's mood too?


------------------------------------------------
// edit: Throughout the course of the night I have been touched by so many of these stories and replies that I just wanted to say thank you. Just imagine.... For someone to reply, I think, there's someone else out there that isn't replying but might have been touched by this video, what you said, or what you're going through. And I think that's powerful. I also think it's evident that this is message has uplifted and made some of you stronger today so for those of you who would like, I have converted the youtube video to an MP3 so you can download it and listen to it when you need it.

Just hold on everyone, it'll get easier. We're not in this alone. (hug)

I've had a toothache since Sunday night; have been treating with lots of rinses of Listerine, salt water, hydrogent peroxide, and tea tree oil in an attempt to mitigate it until I can see a low-cost local dentist.

In the last hour, I've developed a serious pocket of swelling over where my upper wisdom tooth and the one next to it used to be. It's so swollen I can't comfortably put my teeth together. I've fot some kind of serious abscess under the gum there.

In the last HOUR.

I am going tomorrow to my dad's dentist; this is clearly an emergency.

Any other suggestions on what I can do until tomorrow? Anyone do the sticking a teabag in your mouth thing as a home remedy for relief? Please? Thanks!!!

Important note: Clove oil is said to be highly efficacious, but as it is the one substance on earth I know I am highly allergic to, anything involving cloves is...right out. Sadly.

Edit, or postscript, rather: this was in the queue overnight; since it was posted but not yet up, I did in fact go to the dentist, and have some lovely turbocharged antibiotics which, should you be wondering, cost something like 4 bucks. Wonderfully, the problem came from the remaining roots of a long-gone tooth, and were not caused by the tooth next to it (I was sure I needed a root canal; he says the tooth looks hunkydory in x-ray.) None of this will be overly expensive, and he will work with me on that. Once the infection has calmed, he will extract the remnant roots, and all will be well. I thank all of y'all for your great comments; not sure if I should andwer them individually. But: given the severity of possible consequences of this (as the comments show), I hope this post helps others in the future.

If any of you guys are a veteran or know a veteran, tomorrow veterans eat free at Applebees.

This would be a nice gesture to take one of your loved ones to dinner in celebration for their service. :)

http://www.applebees.com/vetsday/

Does anyone have any experience using Upromise? The only reservations I'm seeing from people online is a "big brother" complaint because they have access to your credit and debit card statements, but that doesn't worry me so much as long as the company is reputable (and they're owned by Sallie Mae, so... yikes). The other complaint I'm reading is that you don't make the kind of money that would put someone through college - more like $50 here or there - but I figure it's a poor skill to take whatever you can get, right? What do you guys think?

Hello!

I have some coupons that I have no use for and would like to trade for other coupons/giftcards of roughly the same value. These are valid in Canada.

1. up to 50% off complete pair eyeglasses & prescription sun at Lens Crafters (valid now through December 12, 2009) - I am willing to mail it priority so that you receive it quickly
2. 3$ off stuffed Butterball turkey (exp. December 31, 2009)
3. 10$ off Wii Fit (exp. February 28, 2010)
4. 2$ off Pure Energy ValueCharger battery charger (exp. March 31, 2010)

( My coupon wishlist )

Thank you!

caesaropapism [see-zuh-roh-PEY-piz-uhm]

noun
1. the possession of supreme authority over church and state by one person, often by a secular ruler.
2. the supremacy of the state over the church in ecclesiastical matters.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/caesaropapism



I am getting over an all-nighter and am very tired. I welcome anyone's attempt at a sentence.

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DilbertDailyStrip/~3/SI72zwnll9I/

http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2009-11-11/

Guys, be smart. Don't fall for this one.

The other day, I was at Walgreens. At their front end, they have displays of items like candy, soda, and prophylactics. One of the items was generic skin softener- "made with real olive oil!" the label announced. It was $5 for a 6oz bottle. Curious, I looked at the ingredients:

100% pure olive oil.

Yeah. Or you could just buy some olive oil in those big jugs for about $8 and use some on your skin- provided you don't start with mildly dry, normally oily skin. A better idea is a wash with rice bran and oatmeal in that case. But if you usually have very dry skin, olive oil has been used in the Middle East for that purpose for centuries. If you're looking for something lighter, go with jojoba or almond oil. Grapeseed oil works as well, and if you put about 1 drop essential oils to 10 drops base oil, it can smell really good too! Just make sure the essential oil is safe to use on the skin. Not all of them are!

Anyone else on my f-list have really independent kids that would rather play by themselves than with you? I was thinking today while I was cleaning about what a horrible parent I was for ignoring Ryan and cleaning but when I tried to take a break and play with him he just got pissed at me for trying to touch his toys. lol.

Howdy, poor_skillers:

Saw this  article yesterday and thought of you all...

Happy bargain-hunting and ripoff-dodging!

Does anyone know in which state unsecured debt claims are filed? Is it the state the debt was originally taken, or the state the debtor currently lives and works?

If this is unclear, let me put it in more specific terms. A student takes out a private student loan in say, Delaware, then moves to Michigan permanently. If the loan goes into default and the lender wants to take the student to court, in which state will the judgment be entered?

I have acquired $100 as a result of winning a contest at work. I plan to spend it on clothes for winter and some basics(underwear, bras, etc), but $100 doesn't go far these days with clothes.

Ideas? Already planning a trip to the thrift store, so ideas for new clothing?

Dear New Neighbor downstairs who has been hammering for over 3 hours,

I really want to come downstairs and beat you senseless with your own tool of torment. WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Sincerely,
Bree

Heads up, Savers/Value Village has 50% off all clothing this Wednesday for Veteran's Day.

Hello there. My first time posting to this community and I'm hoping all you knowledgeable people could help me.

My friend had her car repossessed at work today. She had fallen behind on payments after breaking up with her fiancée almost two years ago. She was left to pay everything and, not having enough to pay for all the bills, she chose to cut back on the car. So over the last two years, it's been late payments, half payments, and no payments at all. She's been talking with the people after her car for a while. She hasn't been ignoring them or anything. She's been really trying to work it out with them, but I guess they had enough.

She called them after the car was taken and was told she needed to pay $3100 to get it back, title included. She was also told that the car was worth $3700 so it would go to auction it if she can't pay. I believe that she owed a little over $4000 before they took it, so I'm not sure if she would be responsible for the difference. I keep reading that she could be, but I'm not sure if that might vary from state to state. She lives in Washington state but got this car in Nevada (not sure if that helps).

She's currently pregnant with her first child. She's a high risk pregnancy because she's so small, so she's not allowed to work a certain number of hours per day/week.

I don't know anything about dealing with repo, so I don't know what other information would help. I'm hoping there might be some secret state or federal law to help her out, because it seems like a lot of bad things are happening all at once to her.

I'm not entirely sure this is the best community, but i've seen similar things posted here, and I really have no idea where to turn.

So I had a crazy situation about a year ago that caused me to fall behind on my credit cards. Most of them were gracious enough to let me make up payment plans and such. I had a $2000 Capitol One card that was not. I sent them what I could each month and constantly called for payment plans but we never reached an agreement. It charged off a few months ago. I'm on very very thin ice with my finances still, completely paycheck to paycheck, but I can afford to pay something. I got a letter from a law office stating they were taking me to court for $2200 plus a few more potential fees. I googled the company and half of the entries said this company was a scam. Half said it was a legal debt collector who had garnished their checking account. I really need to prevent the latter from happening as it will send my finances spiraling down a hole and I'll be thrown off all the other credit card payment plans when all my money gets sucked away.

Any ideas where to start or go from here? Do I contact the company and offer a payment plan? I don't want to "throw away" money if they are a scam. How do I tell the difference between a valid law office and a lying collection agency?

Xposted...sorry

First, we're renting. Since we don't own this place so I can't do major renovations or anything.

There are these...vents around the trailer. There are 4 of them total. Each of are dug out and has a metal boarder around it and they each have a board standing up in them. (see pics)

1) What are they for?

2) It's COLD!! Can I put a piece of insulation down there to keep cold air from coming up under the house or is that going to cause a problem with ventilation?

So I need to live on a max of AU$30-50 a week on food for the next few months (this includes snacks and all!).
Unfortunately I'm quite picky when it comes to food. Mostly the fact that I HATE leftovers or reheating food (I have this weird phobia about it). I don't mind freezing/defrosting meat though.

So far I've been living on cereal, pasta, 2-minute noodles, salads and sandwiches.

But does anyone have any more recipes for 1 that's a bit more exciting?

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DilbertDailyStrip/~3/lRer8R6VRAY/

http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/2009-11-10/

Be careful not to trip over your own raging hypocrisy on the way to making yourself look like a total fucking asshole.

Mexican night was awesome tonight, met some ladies from the FRG. Ryan of course managed to charm all the ladies there and by the end of the night had sampled everyones dish while the chicken fingers I ordered him went cold. Thats my boy.

Aunt Flo is still noticeably late to her own party and now I'm starting to freak out. Took another test this morning and there was absolutely no line so now I'm starting to wonder if I'm losing my mind. But its like, Day 5-6. WTH uterus, quit fucking with me.

Im off to strip and shower because while the food was good tonight, I smell like a taco stand and its making me slightly queasy. / transmission.