"DENIED?" written by Libertad on estrip.org

11/21/11 07:32 - ID#55570

DENIED?

I don't even have to call Suze Orman to know what she would say to me in regards to the first Apple purchase I want to make. I can hear her now screaming "denied! denied! denied!" My computer and laptop are getting pretty old now and I really think it will be time soon anyways.

So I am pretty sure I want a Mac Mini. I believe the total cost will be $800. I don't think that seems that unreasonable of a price for what it is. I also have made some financial improvements including raising my FICO score to the good range and stashing a little money away. I feel like I can maybe get a 760 within a year unless catastrophe occurs. That is the entire point though of Suze's instance on an 8 month emergency fund, so that you don't screw up a numerical score that can make us or break us.

What should I do? Should I buy this thing? I want it and might buy it regardless of what you or Suze might say but I am interested to hear what you all might think. By the way, Suze absolutely loves Apple products.

tinypliny writes at 08:38:01 11/22/11 - Comment #66369: (e:libertad), if you need a massive "tune-up" of your pc let me know. You will be amazed at how fast things can run with a few tweaks. I don't know how slow/fast your computer is now, but if you haven't messed with registry entries or reformatted and cleaned out your windows program directory recently, chances are you will notice the speed improvement after the tweaks. I can help you out when I have some time maybe next month? Let me know - messages on estrip work better than the email associated with the site (I scarcely check that email. I need to change it soon...)

libertad writes at 07:48:34 11/22/11 - Comment #66367: I don't really have any major credit card debt, just a little bit on a 0% interest card which pays me dividend rewards. Student loan debt is a different issue of course, that is my only debt really.

If I buy it I will probably take (e:paul)'s advice to buy the 3 year warranty but that does change the asking price quite a bit. Now I am thinking of sticking with Windows because I have had very few problems with it. I have this Dell computer that never seems to break down but I feel like it will be soon. AVG seems to keep my computer protected very well and it is free. I think I will steer away from the compact computer as well, although I was looking forward to getting rid of the big bulky computer.

I'm not sure I will ever purchase an internet only laptop as I do like having the CD drive and normal functions of a PC.

Thanks for all the advice (e:tinypliny) and (e:paul). I'm glad I put this out there because I felt 95% sure I would buy it and now I don't think I will. Let's see what kind of Black Friday deals come about.

tinypliny writes at 04:08:38 11/22/11 - Comment #66365: The apple 3 plan is just $149.00, is In Stock and comes with Free Shipping!! :::link:::

Make that $949.

paul writes at 01:15:47 11/22/11 - Comment #66364: These chrome books seem like a really good deal if you just need an internet ready laptop. :::link:::

paul writes at 01:07:20 11/22/11 - Comment #66363: I feel that as a general computer user a Mac night be easier to maintain although it is more expensive. That being said it is nowhere near perfect and the it just always works line is not true.

I would pay the extra for the 3 year apple care. Then no matter what you computer is covered for three years if anything fails. Every single Mac I ever had started to fail middle of year two but then survived after a tune. I have had both logic boards and graphic cards die both of which are pretty expensive if you don't gave a warranty. In fact the logic board on a mini us about $500.

One issue you have with a compact computer or laptop is the lack of home repairability or upgrade.

Still, the mini really is the best deal of the macs and it is also very energy efficient and just about silent. It is,however, not water proof.

tinypliny writes at 10:49:06 11/21/11 - Comment #66362: this statement: unreasonable of a price for what it is.

is an illusion and a complete success of their snob-value brand over minds. Again, don't take my word entirely. (e:Paul) can give you a more objective assessment for what you get with a mac and for a similar amount of money on other OSes.

tinypliny writes at 10:47:21 11/21/11 - Comment #66361: LOL, I had no idea about the context of this post but I finally googled. :::link:::

I like her. It's crucial to be financially sound and out of debt at all times. If not out of debt, the idea should be to make all effort to get out of it. I believe in it heart and soul.

tinypliny writes at 08:17:24 11/21/11 - Comment #66354: BTW, be advised that the new operating system Lion has countless problems with wireless and network connectivity. If you don't believe me, (e:Paul) can confirm the widespread nature of this problem that Apple does not even want to admit is there and staring at everyone's faces all the time.

It takes SEVERE frustration for apple fanworms to break out the woodwork and admit that things are not peachy in their hollow apple cores. My brother, a seasoned pro at everything UNIX and command line (and pretty much a kind of (e:paul)) admits that he has a problem with it. He usually NEVER does and is a through and through appleworm. That in itself tells me the problem is very real and very much unaddressed.

tinypliny writes at 08:10:25 11/21/11 - Comment #66353: I wouldn't and instead focus on rejuvenating the older laptop and possibly critically look at the real reasons why a Mac seems desirable. But then, I am not Orman or even an apple fan. And well, you know me. I am recycle queen.

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Last Modified: 11/21/11 07:32

09/26/11 09:30 - ID#55199

Saying goodbye

I finally looked at some pictures I took when I went with my family to see where our cottage used to be. This picture pains me so much. I love my grammy and grandpa and really can't stand the pain they must feel for losing our cottage. My entire life has been a part of this place.

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09/12/11 10:55 - ID#55144

Shoreline Sweep Fall 2011

This Fall's shoreline sweep is on Saturday 9/24. I'm going to go clean Squaw Island again.

Honestly, I don't know why I even bother. I'm so disgusted by people in general. The trash is overwhelming.

I think this time I might focus on sweeping up all the glass. I see kids throwing glass botttles all the time and I have gotten probably like 10 flats this season. I never used to get flats, so I'm not sure what the problem is. I even spent extra money on Kevlar tires and I wish I didn't cause I have only gotten more flats. At least if I clean up the glass I might get less flat tires. If I clean up the trash they just come and dirty it all up again in as little as a day.

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09/10/11 02:51 - ID#55129

The last moments

It survived the flood of 72 and a tornado with my grandparents in it. It was built in 1935. I really love the river and will always have very fond memories of this very special place.

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09/09/11 08:35 - ID#55126

Goodbye cottage...

This is our cottage 15 miles downstream. There is video that I haven't been able to watch yet. We all cried pretty hard. I never would have imagined this, we always thought it would be there.

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09/09/11 08:43 - ID#55117

Waiting for the water to recede

The river crested last night and ended up breaking the 1972 record. We are all very concerned that when the water recedes that the cottage may not be there anymore. Almost the entire structure was below water at the highest point of the flood.

It is just for summer vacations and not anybodies home but it is a huge part of our family and would forever change the way we stay a family if it is gone. My great grandfather built it with 10 other families during the depression and my grandmother has gone there all her life. I was there when I was a newborn when my great grandparents were still alive and have gone most years since then. This year Mike came for the first time and we celebrated my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary there. It connects our family in a way that we could otherwise never be connected. It provides our family with an opportunity to be close for at least a brief period of time which is so important when we all live so far away from each other.

There is federal flood insurance that would cover the monetary damages but they would never let us rebuild anything similar. I agree with not being able to rebuild and it wouldn't be the same anyways. The water will not recede until Sunday and I'm sure someone will venture out through the mud to see if it is still there. I really couldn't imagine not having it around anymore but if it is gone, it is gone and at least we were fortunate to have it all these years.

Lots of people are losing their homes and have no flood insurance. Most of my relatives were hit hard in the Binghamton/Endicott region of NY. Everyone had water in their basements even though they weren't in close proximity to water. My mom's cousin was evacuated and hopefully won't lose the home she grew up in.

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09/07/11 10:50 - ID#55112

Our cottage is sure to flood

Our family cottage will without a doubt flood or is flooding as I write this. The first picture is when we had a very close call in March and the second is the projections. The first picture is about 25 feet and the projection is to just over 40 feet. Water enters the cottage at 31 feet. The worst would be if it goes even higher than projected and goes into the second floor like in 72 after Agnes.

This will be a very big mess to clean up. I'm sure I will go to help and will take some pictures. Besides flooding here most of my relatives are also enduring flooding in Endicott NY. I saw some footage today and it looked pretty bad.

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08/30/11 08:59 - ID#55060

um, we're havin a partay

Partay to celebrate the birthday of (e:mike) at our new apartment.

Saturday night at like partay time. We want all (e:strip)pers to come and have some fun.

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08/12/11 02:52 - ID#54929

What would you do?

What would you do if your landlord showed your apartment without giving notice first? Today I was sitting at home and was very startled by very hard banging at my door. It was the owner of the building I live in who had just purchased the building in April. He was standing there on his phone and I had to wait for him to get off it to figure out what was the purpose of his visit. He was there to show it with someone at his side. I was so upset and let him know that but I also permitted the viewing. It was so awkward having people come into my SPACE that I paid for without any warning whatsoever. He showed it to two different people back to back. I am so furious.

This is the letter that I sent to him giving my written notice and requesting 24 hrs notice even though it is already required by law.

Dear Tony and Pat, 7/012011

I have decided to take the next step and move in with my significant other. We found a nice place on *** Ave for the two of us. I am writing to officially give 60 daysâ€™ notice as required by the early termination clause of the lease. I will be out of the apartment before September 1st. Please rest assured that the apartment will be left empty and that it will be clean. The apartment has been very good to me and I am sure you will not have any trouble renting it. Please give me 24 hours notice if you would like to show it or inspect it so that I can make sure it looks nice.

Given that I am giving 60 days notice including my conversation by phone with Tony today, and that I am willing to fully cooperate with showings of the apartment, I am requesting the return of my security deposit after moving out. In good faith I will pay my last monthâ€™s rent as required by the lease agreement. I do wish you both the best in your endeavors and hope that you will find a suitable tenant for the apartment.

Sincerely,

Libertad

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08/03/11 08:53 - ID#54851

My baby bunny's daddy filmed this...

After watching this I realize how much I miss my Coco bunny. He is so cute!!! He is with my baby bunny's daddy until sometime after Mike and I move. It will be the longest since going to Cuba that I have been away from him. Precious bunny brings cuteness to all!