Is It Always N Behavior to Violate Others' Boundaries?

[BonesMS]

Having muscle spasms for the past couple of days.

[BonesMS]

http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/?uc_full_date=20131025

[BonesMS]

http://www.creators.com/advice/annies-mailbox/trading-kissy-face-for-real-life.html

[BonesMS]

http://www.creators.com/advice/dear-margo/little-pitchers-and-all-that-2013-10-25.html

[BonesMS]

http://www.creators.com/advice/everyday-cheapskate/how-to-afford-big-ticket-items.html

Because I have to depend on a small pension, I've been trying to set a small amount of money aside each month to save up for unexpected bills such as replacing the water heater and the dishwasher.  Then medical emergencies hit back to back so all that emergency fund had to go toward medical bills.  Now what?

[BonesMS]

http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/?uc_full_date=20131026

Do I understand this correctly?  The QUEEN #$%^ of the UNIVERSE has decreed to her daughter that if she is NOT allowed to ABUSE HER GRANDCHILD AT WILL, she will commit suicide and make the suicide the DAUGHTER'S FAULT?!?!?!?!?  Now THAT is SICK!!!!

[Hopalong]

Bones, you did it RIGHT because you had built an emergency fund in the first place.
DAMN shame that medical expenses should wipe it out, in this country. I hope that
changes very soon for you.

Meanwhile, even if it's $25 a month, you just rebuild your fund. And seek out
whatever medical care you can scrounge, until a better plan is available....

I would go to a food bank with ZERO shame in your shoes.

love
Hops

[BonesMS]

Bones, you did it RIGHT because you had built an emergency fund in the first place.
DAMN shame that medical expenses should wipe it out, in this country. I hope that
changes very soon for you.

Meanwhile, even if it's $25 a month, you just rebuild your fund. And seek out
whatever medical care you can scrounge, until a better plan is available....

I would go to a food bank with ZERO shame in your shoes.

love
Hops

Thanks, Hops.

[BonesMS]

http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/?uc_full_date=20131027

[BonesMS]

http://www.creators.com/advice/annies-mailbox/kids-and-privates.html

[Twoapenny]

http://www.creators.com/advice/everyday-cheapskate/how-to-afford-big-ticket-items.html

Because I have to depend on a small pension, I've been trying to set a small amount of money aside each month to save up for unexpected bills such as replacing the water heater and the dishwasher.  Then medical emergencies hit back to back so all that emergency fund had to go toward medical bills.  Now what?

Sorry to read this, Bones.  OUr situation is quite similar; I put money away for emergencies (thank goodness) but of course once the emergency comes it wipes your fund out and I always feel a little bit exposed in situations like that.

Things like water heaters are very expensive to replace; I'm lucky that we rent so the landlord is liable for that sort of thing and I don't have to deal with it.  With things like dishwashers, in the UK we have Freecycle, an online group where people give away things they no longer need - including things like cookers, dishwashers etc.  Do you have anything like that in the States?  We also have charity shops who sell donated equipment and will deliver it for you, then the council have a handy man service which you have to pay for but if you have health problems or are not working the rates are reduced.  None of these things are widely advertised, it takes a bit of digging around to find them?  I wondered if you have any kind of thing like that to help out people on lower incomes?

[BonesMS]

http://www.creators.com/advice/everyday-cheapskate/how-to-afford-big-ticket-items.html

Because I have to depend on a small pension, I've been trying to set a small amount of money aside each month to save up for unexpected bills such as replacing the water heater and the dishwasher.  Then medical emergencies hit back to back so all that emergency fund had to go toward medical bills.  Now what?

Sorry to read this, Bones.  OUr situation is quite similar; I put money away for emergencies (thank goodness) but of course once the emergency comes it wipes your fund out and I always feel a little bit exposed in situations like that.

Things like water heaters are very expensive to replace; I'm lucky that we rent so the landlord is liable for that sort of thing and I don't have to deal with it.  With things like dishwashers, in the UK we have Freecycle, an online group where people give away things they no longer need - including things like cookers, dishwashers etc.  Do you have anything like that in the States?  We also have charity shops who sell donated equipment and will deliver it for you, then the council have a handy man service which you have to pay for but if you have health problems or are not working the rates are reduced.  None of these things are widely advertised, it takes a bit of digging around to find them?  I wondered if you have any kind of thing like that to help out people on lower incomes?

Thanks, Tupp.

We also have Freecycle here.  The problem with replacing both my dishwasher and water heater is that a plumber is required and they charge AN ARM AND A LEG.  I've tried to find a way for reduced rates given my situation and got told: "No".  I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[Hopalong]

I've been known to barter for things/services at times, Bones...
(like, I'm editing my attorney's website in exchange for a simple trust...)

I wonder if you could offer a nice family tree, to some plumber,
in exchange for the service you need? You never know--all people
are curious about their ancestry and few really know how to dig.

Just a thought...
xo
Hops

[BonesMS]

I've been known to barter for things/services at times, Bones...
(like, I'm editing my attorney's website in exchange for a simple trust...)

I wonder if you could offer a nice family tree, to some plumber,
in exchange for the service you need? You never know--all people
are curious about their ancestry and few really know how to dig.

Just a thought...
xo
Hops

I've already learned that the plumbers around my area do not barter. 

[BonesMS]

Also dealing with physical ailments that have really soured my mood.