I’ve always been amazed at how many people in this area love to play bingo!  It seems that there are several clubs and organizations that hold bingo games every week to raise money for their club, or for charity.  I haven’t played bingo in years, but my mother-in-law loves to go out every Thursday night to the Knights of Columbus hall for her Bingo night. 

I guess it comes as no surprise that bingo is also a game widely played on the Internet.  I was recently reading an interesting article about bingo on the gameon bingo website. The story was about a bingo scam that was discovered in Sunderland, where it is alleged that the caller fixed the game so that his girlfriend could win the big prize. It seems that the girlfriend was also an employee of the organization that was holding the game.  I was really surprised because I would have thought that employees would not be allowed to play the game!  I guess I’m just naive that way.

Posted: May 6th, 2009 under Entertainment/Fun, Family, Finances/Money, Internet, Online.
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I often wonder what I would do with my money if I were stinking filthy rich. Obviously, I would pay off my bills, but then what???? Would I share my wealth with my parents, brothers and sisters, or just with my hubby and kids? I like to think that I would have enough money to share with all of my close relatives, and make everyone’s life a little bit easier. My hubby and I talk about this subject from time to time. Sometimes we agree that we would share with everyone, sometimes we decide not to share. I’ll probably never have to make that decision in real life, but it is something I think about from time to time.

Posted: April 17th, 2009 under Finances/Money, Life.
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While in the local coffee shop this afternoon I overheard two young ladies at the table next to me discussing their finances. I would have to assume that they were both in college and out on their own for the first time. Their classes will be over in May and they were brainstorming summer job opportunities and whether they could afford to stay in the area or would they have to go back home and live with their parents to save money.

The one closest to me admitted that she had run up her credit card to the maximum and had little spending money to get her through the rest of the school year. I suspect her spending style will put her home with mom and dad for the summer!

I suppose that is one of the good things about the college experience, being out on your own and accountable for your own money. But I would have hoped that more parents would have talked with their kids about managing their finances before shipping them off to school. I know we have tried our best to prepare our sons to be financially responsible. They know how to balance a checkbook and to spend wisely. I hope they paid attention to the struggles of others and the advice we gave them, so that they never have to face bankruptcy or other serious consequences later in life.

If the girls at the coffeeshop need help in the future, I hope they took the little business card I left on the table for them with a note to look up IVA online. It’s never too late to deal with your problems and turn things around if you have a little help.

Posted: April 5th, 2009 under Finances/Money, Life, Parenting.
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As I look around at all of the struggling businesses out there, it saddens me to see so many of my favorite places closing down.  I have to wonder where I’m going to be able to get my favorite products!  As much as I try to do business with the local businesses, I guess I’ll have to be using the Internet to buy more of the things that I need.

As for the small businesses that are just starting up, I hope that they have the foresight to accept credit cards; it will help them to attract the customers that are relying more heavily on credit cards!  Most of the small start-up businesses are going to need to obtain financing to help them buy their equipment and stock.  My hubby’s boss tells me that he has had good luck getting his Business Loans from the onlinecheck.com website.

Posted: February 13th, 2009 under Business, Family, Finances/Money, Internet.
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I like to shop  - especially when I think there is a bargain to be had!  I have always been a frugal person, and I enjoy bargain hunting!  I go to flea markets, auctions, estate sales and yard sales; looking for the best deals I can get anywhere.  I clip coupons and look for discounts, markdowns, floor models, and sales. I ought to start up a local club of frugal shoppers in my neighborhood!

Posted: January 13th, 2009 under Business, Finances/Money, Life, Shopping.
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