Layout:
Home > Lean times

Lean times

January 24th, 2009 at 08:25 pm

So I have practically no money at all till I get paid on the first. Two big looming problems:

My son's birthday. It's on the sixth, but he lives in Chicago so I have to ship soon.

Here's what I've done: I went "shopping" in my basement, where I store my finds for the booth and stuff designated for a garage sale. In the garage sale stuff, there was a a nice set of barbecue equipment -- tongs, spatula, brush etc. -- all with bamboo handles and still in the box. They were my sister's. I asked her if it was okay for me to give to B as a gift, and she was fine with it.

Now, to wrap. I had a roll of plain red Christmas paper which is fine for a guy's birthday. And I already had the card, which I bought last fall because I recognized it as the perfect card for him. So no cost to wrap.

I found a box that neatly fits the wrapped package, so all I have to do now is label and send it. My kitchen scale says the package is 3 lbs. 3 oz., but I don't know how accurate it is. I will take it to the auto center at the post office and see what it weighs there. I'm estimating it will cost around $8 to send. Which is about what I have.

My other big problem: A dentist appointment on Monday. I think I will be highly unethical and plead sickness on Monday morning, since it is too late to cancel now. I hate to do that, but a visit to the dentist, however important, is just not something I can do right now.

I am also very low on gas, so I can't do any running around. Which means I won't mail the package until I get paid either.

At least I have plenty of food in stock. I will just hunker down for a week.

8 Responses to “Lean times”

  1. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1232836421

    Could you possibly call your son and let him know that you *do* have a gift on the way for him, but it may get there after his actual birthday? Perhaps just send the card in time to make sure it's there for his birthday, then send the package after you get your paycheck.

  2. lizajane Says:
    1232837404

    I don't know about your son, but I have never once been upset if someone sent me a gift, no matter how late it was! Smile

  3. my english castle Says:
    1232840971

    Good job on finding him something. He's probably just thrilled to hear from his Mom. January is a long month for all of us, isn't it?

  4. boomeyers Says:
    1232856428

    If you have a printer, you can go to USPS.com and ship your package from your home. I learned this by selling ebay. Quick and easy. I also find that we tend to OVER estimate how much something weighs. I have never had postage due on the other end. Just a thought!

  5. M E 2 Says:
    1232857586



    My one sister and I both have birthdays in late September. Our other sister, who lives within 10 miles of both us and is gainfully employed and can afford to buy us each a present with no problem, gave us our gifts on ........ Thanksgiving! @@

    So I wouldn't worry about mailing a gift to an adult child after their birthday especially considering your current financial state.




  6. homebody Says:
    1232894212

    I agree with everyone else. Heck my kids already know they are not getting birthday presents this year due to our investment in a new car wash this year and we are kind of broke. Oh wait, my oldest turns 30... I will have to get her something to mark that happy event! Oh well maybe February will be another no eat out month.

  7. Carolina Bound Says:
    1232895770

    Thanks, everyone. You're right, of course. The gift can be late. In fact, my Christmas gift from him came after New Year's!

  8. nance Says:
    1232906840

    I discovered that shipping FedEx is often cheaper than UPS or mail. Also, if you can ship it to a business address, it is less expensive with Fed Ex or UPS. These days, ever dollar or two in savings helps.
    Sometimes, I have gone to "Magazine Price Search.com" to find an inexpensive magazine subscription to give as a gift. No shipping costs, and these gifts have been appreciated.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]