NationStates Jolt Archive

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)

You're on teh intranets, I'm sure you can find specs and deals far superior. Print em out and sit down with her to look at em. Hopefully, pretty straight forward w/o dissing auntie ;)

No.

Is this a joke? 1200 dollars for that?

Come on, just tell her it's a waste of money and that she can buy a perfectly nice one for like half the cost that's probably better. :rolleyes:

You're not a bitch if you tell her straight: "I've had experience purchasing computers before, and I beg you not to waste your money on this." It's ridiculously overpriced. You're more educated in computer specs than she is, so what reason would she have for doubting your word?

Is this a joke? 1200 dollars for that?

Come on, just tell her it's a waste of money and that she can buy a perfectly nice one for like half the cost that's probably better. :rolleyes:

I told her that, and I also explained to her that I could fix her computer for cheaper, but my aunt (just found out) wants her to buy the computer on her(my aunt's) store card so that my mom's credit rating "doesn't suffer" and pay her payments on it. :rolleyes: I smell a rat.

1199.99? Where is she buying it from? My laptop is almost the same as the one your grandma wants to get except its only 30gb of ram and I got it 4 years ago for around 900 dollars. There are plenty computers that are better and at a cheaper price.

1199.99? Where is she buying it from? My laptop is almost the same as the one your grandma wants to get except its only 30gb of ram and I got it 4 years ago for around 900 dollars. There are plenty computers that are better and at a cheaper price.

she didn't link me to it, looks like she copy/pasted the information from somewhere.

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)

The one she is getting is worse than the one she has.

If the old computer's going bad, upgrading isn't a bad idea. But that amount of money for those specs?

I'd go for the telling your mom that the computer isn't a good idea, but offering to help buy a good deal and handle it yourself.

I told her that, and I also explained to her that I could fix her computer for cheaper, but my aunt (just found out) wants her to buy the computer on her(my aunt's) store card so that my mom's credit rating "doesn't suffer" and pay her payments on it. :rolleyes: I smell a rat.

just reading that i small one too

Well if your mom really wants to get a new computer so badly and doesnt want it to be fixed. Just find some specs for a computer that is much better than the one she has and cheaper than the one she wants and ask her which one would she rather have. The crappy computer for at an insultingly high price, or a better computer at a cheaper price? When faced with that kind of logic, you just cant lose.

Thats overpriced even if its a laptop. For a desktop, that price is pure highway robbery. You are doing your mother a favor by challenging this charade.

I told her that, and I also explained to her that I could fix her computer for cheaper, but my aunt (just found out) wants her to buy the computer on her(my aunt's) store card so that my mom's credit rating "doesn't suffer" and pay her payments on it. :rolleyes: I smell a rat.

she didn't link me to it, looks like she copy/pasted the information from somewhere.

Whooooo-eeeee. Smells like a rat farm in here....

If she actually needs a new tower, there are some good deals through the Lenovo/IBM website. Not the hottest computer around, but it only costs $355.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=F29061287DB94F899E16923280740751


AMD Sempron 3000+ AM2 Processor (1.66GHz, 256KB L2)
512MB PC2-4200 SDRAM (1 DIMM)
VIDIA GeForce Go 6100 Integrated Graphics
80GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200RPM Serial ATA

Or you can try the IBM employee (friends and family too) discount page (although some people tell me they can't get in to the site). They're used computers, but my family has been happy with them.

http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=2576396&storeId=1083759332&catalogId=-124&langId=124

Oh -and those prices are in Canadian dollars, too.

I have to agree with posi on that.. the one she has is better... I can't imagine spending US$1200 to get a worse machine. I just bought a comp with DVD burner, 1 gig RAM, 160 gig HD, 8 USB2 ports and .. well more stuff than that.. for $900 Oz. Well not just.. but a year ago. so would be even cheaper now.

I would think you could get a USB expansion port and some extra RAM and a DVD burner for around $300 total... maybe add $200 for another 160Gig HD... and you would be set for $500 all up. Hmmm and I am working in OZ dollars and comps are supposed to be cheaper in the states so....

I would be smelling a rat if I were you too.. your aunt probably just needs the points to get a free toaster or something.


I think your best angle is to simply go to DELL .. respected and expensive site that it is.. print out a quote for a better in every way machine for half the price and then explain to her objectively why its a bad deal.

That way the rat need never be mentioned.....

Terrible deal. You could probably get a laptop that's two times better than what she's looking at for half the price, if you look around at any decent stores. If you build it on your own, a quarter of the price or less for a desktop.

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)

Take my advice
No fucking way

Just for example
A better machine with LCD for under 600

http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/cto_dimene520?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

(The model all the way to the right)

For the love of god dont let her buy that

Go with the "car analogy". No need to mention the issue of credit, it's really a matter of price. Show her a better computer with half the price from a reknowned brand. Don't try to convince her, if she goes forward with the deal after that, mock her, mother or not she does not deserve your respect.

I have to agree with posi on that.. the one she has is better... I can't imagine spending US$1200 to get a worse machine. I just bought a comp with DVD burner, 1 gig RAM, 160 gig HD, 8 USB2 ports and .. well more stuff than that.. for $900 Oz. Well not just.. but a year ago. so would be even cheaper now

I just bought a Core Duo laptop for less than that.

$1200, wherever she is getting that thing spotted her coming. Go to Best Buy or any computer store and get the cheapest piece of shit you can find and it will be better than that.

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)
I suspect I have a (deserved) reputation for lacking anything resembling tact.

I suggest you head to the net, find a computer with the same purchass price, and better stats, and put the two side by side (ie stat for stat), include info on the computing requirements for current techonology (it'd be ideal if you can point out that the computer she is buying wont allow her to do X, but other comparibly priced computers will).
I think you are spot on with the credit issue. If you are able to find out the repayment schedule, you can point out that not only would she be no better off with the computer she is considering (especially if you can find software and periphial applications she'll want but not be able to use with the computer she is considering), but that if she puts aside the same repayment she would be making for X number of weeks/months (what have you), you can get her a computer that will do these things in less time than the repayment schedule for no greater per week cost.

If you can check out up and coming software and applications and find stuff you know she'll be dead keen on, and prove to her that the computer she is considering will not do these things, but you can help her get one that will, she might be more amenable to seeing things your way. It appears that she's more interested in the article (computer) than the costs, so (and rembering tact is not my area of expertise) it seems reasonable to expect that you'll get further pushing the functionality aspect rather than the price.

I appreciate you dont want to get off side with your family and it's probably not nice to be called a control-freak by your own family members, but if you dont push the issue your mum is going to end up with a dunger that will be obsolete before she has even made a dent in the repayments (perhaps even before she gets the thing home and plugged in). Try to dazzle her with the better alternatives that you can help her avail herself of if the 'credit issue' is a non-starter.

http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-Desktop-Dual-Core-Processor-LightScribe/dp/B000F3K0EI/sr=1-1/qid=1164779968/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1950771-0951004?ie=UTF8&s=pc

She wants a new computer? Look here. Half the price, triple the awesome.

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)

smunk, i may be reiterating others in this thread, but that's a fucking terrible deal. or, the cost in no way matches up to that spec of computer.


this (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pcrange.html?NFO) computer, which costs only marginally more at 1,2500 dollars (yes, 50 bucks more) has the following spec:
2gig of RAM
300 Gig hard drive
Athlon dual-core 4200 64-bit processor
256meg nVidia graphics card (7600GT)
16x dual-layer DVD +/- (re)writer with CDRW
8 channel soundcard
etc etc

ok thats in the uk and it doesn't come with a monitor (which i assume your mum already has)



the cheapest laptop they do on that site is still better than that one, and only costs 400 dollars



don't let your mum be conned into a very, very bad deal. (it'd be ok if it was a lot, lot less, or if it were a lot, lot better computer)

That's sounds like a decent deal, Smunks, only if this were about 5 years in the past. Now? I wouldn't even pay half the asking price. Hell, I wouldn't even pay a quarter. You can easily find cheaper and better in every respect computers out there. For 1200 dollars, you can buy a beast, or if you have the know-how, make a MASSIVE beast. Hell, for half that price these days you can get one hell of a computer, which outshines that POS in every way imaginable.

So really... do everything in your power to make sure she does not get that pile.

Also, what does she need the computer for? What programs does she need, what does she use it for, etc? If for the basics, you could find a very nice comp for only a couple hundred dollars, that although it won't run the newest games on high res, it will definately be a good comp for the tasks needed.

So really... unless this computer has the magic ability to turn human fecal matter into bricks of gold, it's a rip off.

Tell her no. My computer has 80gigs, CDRW, DVD, 512 Ram, 5.1 surround 128mg video card, and six USBs. I paid 20 bucks. 50 including moniter and a new CD drive. Tell her (nicely) to look around. If there is a university in town, see if they have a surplus sale or auction. That is how I got mine. Dirt cheep. Especially the ones with little problems (Mine had no OS and the CD drive didn't work, so I took the DVD drive out of my old(er) junker) There are deals to be had. She just needs to look, and be patient, because that is not one of them. You should tell her that. Nicely.

[Snip]
the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99
[Snip]
so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer?

25% interest?! Fuck off*!
And the computer's a pile of crap, too (you don't list the CPU and graphics, but if it's coming with 256MB RAM and a DVD reader then it's going to be hopeless).

OK, I'm not in favour of buying anything on credit, but buying computer hardware on credit is exceptionally stupid - it will be worth less than nothing before you've finished paying. Also 25% interest is terrible, you can (in the UK at least) get much better than that on credit cards, overdrafts and personal loans; if a bank or whatever won't give you such a thing you shouldn't have it. If she's seriously considering buying a PC at 25% interest she shouldn't be borrowing money anyway.

Additionally, you can get a marginally better specced Dell for $330. It's still a pile o' shite, but at least it's cheap.

*Not you, Smunkee, the lender.

I apologise if everyone else has already said this, I've only read the OP ;)

Edit: Posi is right, it probably is worse than the one she's already got!

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)

There has to be cheaper options, you can walk into high street shops in the UK and buy cheaper (taking into account exchange rate) for the same spec. This is the rip-off UK here where the rest of the EU and the US is consistently cheaper than here, it can't be a challenge for you to find a cheaper model with better specs.

Also, why buy on credit, the computer is not a major purchase like a car or house. You could persuade her to save up the money she would use buying this computer and by the time she did the computers she could afford would be much better. If she just has to buy a computer, get her to read all the conditions of the credit agreement and check out loans from other places such as the banks to get the best deal and rate on the credit. Also this will allow her to find out any hidden charges (interest free credit agreements often require you to pay back within a set period, if you fail to do so they tend to start charging very high interest and back date it so that the interest free period is no longer free).

Without knowing any details like CPU, video, etc it's hard to make a call. But 1200 bucks and only 256 RAM and 80gb HD? That RAM better be PC133700. It seems to me that that computer is junk. "Programs" like that, buying computers with low monthly payments, are for people that either have no money, or don't know how to manage what they have and know nothing about computers what so ever. And of course, in the end you pay 5x what it's worth. Some con artists got together and decided computers would be the next "used car" scheme, to take advantage of the less tech savvy. They buy junk for nothing, make it sound like gold and sell it for a small fortune. If I were a crook, I might try that.

Write up your mom a detailed invoice for what you could build for say, half that. Then do another invoice showing her what it would cost to upgrade her current box to something comparable to the 1200POS.

Tell her you don't want her to buy the computer because you were going to get her a computer for Christmas, and had already purchased one.
If you can't actually afford to get her one, get her something else and tell her that you returned the computer because you told her you were going to give her a computer but wanted her to be surprised by your gift.
If your aunt gets snippy, tell her that it was rude of her to go talking your mother into making expensive purchases so near Christmas; that she should have asked the family what they were getting her to make sure that they weren't getting her the computer.

Dell tends to be more expensive though reliable but they are selling computers at a cheaper price with better specs and if you really want they do have credit agreements as well.

Even dell is good value when compared (http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs)

I crudely tried to get a computer of similar specs to what you said on the dell website and it gave a price of $648.00 without tax or shipping. Note, dell tends to be expensive so I tend to avoid buying from them and that the computer I customised I could not make as bad as the one your mother is going for.

EDIT: I see I was beaten to the chase by several people, oh well. Just make sure she doesn't get the computer.

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)
You could go to a store and buy a computer that crappy for half that price. Tell her she should really look elsewhere.

I called her, told her the deal sucked, and that she shouldn't buy it.

she claims that she needs a new computer, so I handed the phone to my husband because I was annoyed.

he explained to her that he could get the parts for me and I could upgrade her computer for about $400 and it would be a Christmas present.......so I think we worked it out, other than my aunt has called me 37 times today (it's only 10am) cussing me and saying that I am a "bad person" for 'trying to control my mom' :rolleyes:

I called her, told her the deal sucked, and that she shouldn't buy it.

she claims that she needs a new computer, so I handed the phone to my husband because I was annoyed.

he explained to her that he could get the parts for me and I could upgrade her computer for about $400 and it would be a Christmas present.......so I think we worked it out, other than my aunt has called me 37 times today (it's only 10am) cussing me and saying that I am a "bad person" for 'trying to control my mom' :rolleyes:

She can deal ... you did the right thing. You and your husband (from what I know of you) puts you both in a position of knowledge and authority. You know what she needs in a computer, so you SHOULD be the one consulted on this decision

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)
It sound like a fucking piece of crap. For that much? I could find the parts to make a wicked machine that can run the next generation games with an excellent frame rate, without lag, with full AAx8 and all the bells and whistles. If she got it, she's be massively scammed out of a lot of money.

If she does need a new computer, I would recommend for a user that may not be computer savvy to get a Dell. For way less, she could get a very nice computer, and peripherals to go with it.

Dell Basic Desktop (http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/dt_basic?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs)

They are about $400-$500~ USD. This is way less than what your aunt is recommending, and I've heard good stuff about Dell. They seem to have a good return policy.

Two of the computers shown have AMD chipsets. I'm happy with my AMD computer. I find it stays very cool, and it hasn't posed any real problems for me.

I called her, told her the deal sucked, and that she shouldn't buy it.

she claims that she needs a new computer, so I handed the phone to my husband because I was annoyed.

he explained to her that he could get the parts for me and I could upgrade her computer for about $400 and it would be a Christmas present.......so I think we worked it out, other than my aunt has called me 37 times today (it's only 10am) cussing me and saying that I am a "bad person" for 'trying to control my mom' :rolleyes:

Go you. And it seems more and more like your Aunt had her own sekrit ebul agenda.

Uhhh... $1200 for that? Really? I'm sure others have said this multiple times by now, but that's a really crappy deal. I got a used laptop three years ago with almost the same specs (smaller hard drive though) for half the price.

If you really don't want her to buy it, I suggest you check around online for a computer that fits her needs and budget. Then sit down with her and compare the specs for the two machines, so that she can see for herself that she can either get that computer for much cheaper, or a much better computer for that price.

You need to tell your mom that her sister is trying to fuck her. It's not enough just to say that this is a bad deal--your aunt is doing something dirty here, and you owe it to your mom to make sure she knows it. If she decides to go through with it, it's on her, but she needs to make an informed decision. That whole "put it on my card and make the payments" stuff smells like a scam.

so I don't have the best rep for being tactful.

my mom has let my aunt (whom if I ever was going to hate someone it would be her) talk her into the most idiotic thing I have ever heard (okay not the most but it's pretty stupid)

she wants my mom, who is on a fixed income to buy a computer on credit, my mom just emailed me the specs and not only is it worse than the one that I put together out of scraps I found in my garage, but it's way too expensive (before intrest) and it basically sucks

what she has now is a POS for sure but it was free and I gave it to her when her POS broke

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.

the computer she wants to buy on credit has an 80 Gig hard drive and 256MB RAM, 3 USB ports, and a DVD drive (not a burner, just a reader)

before the 24.99% interest it costs...........$1199.99

I told her I would look it over and call her tomorrow and talk to her about it, she asked for my advice. I really really really don't want to be a bitch, but I get so tired of her getting into these idiotic situations and then whining about it later, I want to be able to explain to her why this is a bad idea without being a "control freak" which is what my aunt says everytime I talk her out of a crazy scheme

so, in your unbiased opinion........should she buy the computer? (remember I am anti-debt, and her current computer while annoying isn't costing her anything and it's mostly stable, although my anti-debt-ness is probably fueling my bias more than my dislike for my aunt......who btw is perpetually in debt)


Sort it out with ya Mum, don't worry about upseting you're Aunt. Where does it say exactly that we have to get on with our family?

For 1200 bucks, Smunkee, she can do way better. I was surprised you could actually but a machine with only 256MB of memory, anyway, it's almost as cheap as hard drive space nowadays. I went out to the Dell site, the first one that came to mind, and found a way more powerful machine for $1099, inside of five minutes.

I called her, told her the deal sucked, and that she shouldn't buy it.

she claims that she needs a new computer, so I handed the phone to my husband because I was annoyed.

he explained to her that he could get the parts for me and I could upgrade her computer for about $400 and it would be a Christmas present.......so I think we worked it out, other than my aunt has called me 37 times today (it's only 10am) cussing me and saying that I am a "bad person" for 'trying to control my mom' :rolleyes:
Yay Smunkee! This sounds like a much better deal for your mom. And forget the aunt... she sounds a bit bonkers, if you don't mind my saying so.

Take her out shopping, show her some twice as good for half as much cash systems, if she's sane she'll know to let this 'deal' pass.

You know, I could pick up a better 'puter than that offer for about $250 at a used shop here in town - including a full warrantee.

http://www.thetrailingedge.com/products.php?cat=dtr

As to your aunt, tell her that ensuring that your mom does not get ripped off is NOT controlling her, it's helping her. And if your aunt thinks otherwise, tell her that you'll happily back off on one condition - that SHE pay the difference between what that computer should cost and what this rip-off artist is trying to charge for it.


Then again, how much you want to bet that your aunt bought one from the same place and is just being defensive because she doesn't want to admit that she got taken to the cleaners.....

I called her, told her the deal sucked, and that she shouldn't buy it.

she claims that she needs a new computer, so I handed the phone to my husband because I was annoyed.

he explained to her that he could get the parts for me and I could upgrade her computer for about $400 and it would be a Christmas present.......so I think we worked it out, other than my aunt has called me 37 times today (it's only 10am) cussing me and saying that I am a "bad person" for 'trying to control my mom' :rolleyes:

Sorry, but your family accuses you of being a control freak and your aunt is not! :confused: while ringing you up 37 times because you stopped her from ripping off your mum.

I don't know anything about computers, but I do know about being in debt!

Your aunt wants your Mum to buy a computer on her (the aunts) storecard? Your Mum then pays money off of your aunts card every month, thereby keeping the credit company off your aunts back over her full balance.

Sounds to me like once you've sorted your Mums computer you might like to encourage your aunt to get some help with her debts.

For 1200 dollars, I could build a computer that would give any teenage gaming geek a raging stiffy.

My own system was (a year and a half ago) such a machine, and it can still play any game on the market flawlessly, while looking great.

I spent about 800 altogether.

For 1200 dollars, I could build a computer that would give any teenage gaming geek a raging stiffy.

My own system was (a year and a half ago) such a machine, and it can still play any game on the market flawlessly, while looking great.

I spent about 800 altogether.

Roughly sums up my machine, except it was $1000CAD. NWN2 runs fine on it, and I think that's the highest requirementing game I have.

Tell her to go to PCWorld or whatever and ask what she can get for $1200.
From PC World -
http://www.pcworld.com/product/specs/id,29320-c,desktoppcs/specs.html
6 USB ports in total. 2 front and 4 rear.
1024MB of RAM
DVD+R DL/DVD±RW
250GB Hard Drive.
Complete with 19" LCD.
And a 256MB video card to produce the graphics.
And a 1.86-GHz Core 2 Duo E6300.

It also comes with a 3 year labor and parts warranty. And a toll free support phoneline so she can call them for free and not hassle you.

So on all accounts it beats the aunt's offer and is also attractive to you. No more phone calls just to ask how to sort out whatever minor problem your mum is having.

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.


That's approximately what I have. It cost me $85 at a second hand shop.
Might I recommend a hitman for the aunt problem?

40 Gig hard drive, 512 MB Ram, and an unreliable CD-RW drive, and you know 3 USB ports (meaning she can't have her webcam and printer hooked up at the same time) yeah it sucks.


That's approximately what I have. It cost me $85 at a second hand shop.
Might I recommend a hitman for the aunt problem?

40 Gig that is shit i got a 400 Gig waiting to go into my new pc when i got the cash to spare

Some questions about aunty's storecard:

Does she have existing charges on it? If so, how do she and your mom plan to keep the $1200 seperate from aunty's debts?

If there are existing charges, is your aunt paying them down while your mom is making payments on her portion?

Is your aunt continuing to use her storecard while your mom's $1200 is on it? Is that being kept seperate from mom's bill? And what happens if aunty's use of the card increases the min payment?

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head, in case your mom considers this or any similar deal with your aunt.

That's approximately what I have. It cost me $85 at a second hand shop.
Might I recommend a hitman for the aunt problem?

Hitmen are expensive. I'll do it for a sixpack and a quick grope of the Smunkster's rack.

she didn't link me to it, looks like she copy/pasted the information from somewhere.

I wouldnt reccomend buying anything with 24.99 % interest. Thats insane and a computer certainly isnt NEEDED that badly.

Especially for someone on a fixed income.

Read the small print- the default rate is probably over 30% !!!


Check out a site at gotapex.com-- they have tons of reviews of computers, with specs- better computers for better prices with links to buy them.

No one said gropes would be uh...up for grabs!


I have no idea what my computer has. I know its as fast as hell, I work and surf on it all day and night.

Someone built it for me and gave it to me for free.

Hitmen are expensive. I'll do it for a sixpack and a quick grope of the Smunkster's rack.

some one may get a fist to face if they did

40 Gig that is shit i got a 400 Gig waiting to go into my new pc when i got the cash to spareI know it's shit. That's my point.

some one may get a fist to face if they did

Y'know, I hear they've got a special at Target. You can get your very own sense of humour for just $19.99.

I wouldnt reccomend buying anything with 24.99 % interest. Thats insane and a computer certainly isnt NEEDED that badly.

Especially for someone on a fixed income.

Read the small print- the default rate is probably over 30% !!!



Also, if your mom just paid the minmum balance on the time, it takes forever to get it paid off. She'd probably be paying the rest of her life.

Y'know, I hear they've got a special at Target. You can get your very own sense of humour for just $19.99.

i may buy two boxs of it, i keep losing it ever time shit hits the fan

Your aunt wants your Mum to buy a computer on her (the aunts) storecard? Your Mum then pays money off of your aunts card every month, thereby keeping the credit company off your aunts back over her full balance.

Sounds to me like once you've sorted your Mums computer you might like to encourage your aunt to get some help with her debts.Either that, or the aunt just wants the money and has no intention of paying off the card.

I know it's shit. That's my point.

what can you do 40 Gigs i cant think of one other thing but use it to hit someone with

Either that, or the aunt just wants the money and has no intention of paying off the card.

you know my aunt huh?

she has filed bankruptcy every 7 years since 1968

all consumer debt.

she disgusts me

Hitmen are expensive. I'll do it for a sixpack and a quick grope of the Smunkster's rack.

I'll do it for one or the other.

Either way, Smunkees' Mum isn't responsible for the debt as it's on the aunts card. But there's only so long you juggle repayments before your personal economic rating hits : Imploded.

I'll do it for one or the other.

Tell ya what, let's work together on the job, and I'll take the sixpack.

you know my aunt huh?

she has filed bankruptcy every 7 years since 1968

all consumer debt.

she disgusts me

Doesn't all her stuff get reposessed every time she goes bankrupt?

Surely, she spends seven years buying loads of cool stuff on credit, loses the lot and starts again?

Tell ya what, let's work together on the job, and I'll take the sixpack.

Deal.

Also, if your mom just paid the minmum balance on the time, it takes forever to get it paid off. She'd probably be paying the rest of her life.

Yep-the minimum payment is like a feel good medication that stretches things out for 30 years.

People on fixed income should avoid borrowing on credit like the plague. Certainly with non-necessity items.

You can live without the computer and pay yourself on a regular basis until you have enough.
You'll likely wind up making a better, more informed and appropriate choice and certainly will appreciate it more.

This is actually good advice for everyone. How many people are paying 24% interest on a meal they ate years ago and charged?

Millions of us. And that product isnt even shit in the sewer anymore-Its long gone. But the interest aint.
And thats if you pay as agreed. A monthly late fee is often $35.00 !! Late payment-default rate is often well over 25%. And if these charges happen to bring you over your limit, count on another "over the limit fee" that is usually $35.00 per month.

So-without figuring the interest on your outstanding balance, your credit account can easily cost you an additional $70.00 per month-without even making a purchase!!!

If you are making monthly payments on anything other than a car or home purchase, you need to be extremely careful and examine your spending. Living beyond your means is a nightmare and there are way too many people in that deep hole right now.

No more rant, good luck.

Doesn't all her stuff get reposessed every time she goes bankrupt?

Surely, she spends seven years buying loads of cool stuff on credit, loses the lot and starts again?

here they won't repo some stuff that is 'protected' like personal items, one car, and a house, so unless she gets stupid and buys more than one car or a vacation house, she gets to keep all of it.

She does have to wait for up to 2 years to get "real credit" again but can get deposit protected credit cards and buy cars almost the same day that her bankruptcy is discharged.

I think she does it on purpose, but if you ask me the woman is a sociopath, I don't generally have contact with her because I know her to be evil. My mom however is naive and thinks that her sister has "an addiction" to spending, similar to the addiction that I used to have to meth, either way she can stop if she wanted to she could get help.

Yep-the minimum payment is like a feel good medication that stretches things out for 30 years.

People on fixed income should avoid borrowing on credit like the plague. Certainly with non-necessity items.

You can live without the computer and pay yourself on a regular basis until you have enough.
You'll likely wind up making a better, more informed and appropriate choice and certainly will appreciate it more.

This is actually good advice for everyone. How many people are paying 24% interest on a meal they ate years ago and charged?

Millions of us. And that product isnt even shit in the sewer anymore-Its long gone. But the interest aint.
And thats if you pay as agreed. A monthly late fee is often $35.00 !! Late payment-default rate is often well over 25%. And if these charges happen to bring you over your limit, count on another "over the limit fee" that is usually $35.00 per month.

So-without figuring the interest on your outstanding balance, your credit account can easily cost you an additional $70.00 per month-without even making a purchase!!!

If you are making monthly payments on anything other than a car or home purchase, you need to be extremely careful and examine your spending. Living beyond your means is a nightmare and there are way too many people in that deep hole right now.

No more rant, good luck.

*adds to the rant*

I don't buy anything on credit.... I pay cash for everything I own (except the house, have to finance the house, but going 80/20 and paying it off in 10 years.....unless I don't find one soon because the electronic payment is still paying into the down payment fund)

I don't use credit cards, there is nothing you need to buy that badly. Everyone should have a back-up fund, you can start out with $50 a month, almost everyone has $50 a month they can pull from somewhere to put back in a savings account so that if you get a flat tire or your car breaks, or you have to go to the ER you have a little bit of money to cover it. The goal would be to get 3 months of pay set up in there, but it's great just to have a few hundred if that's all you can do.

Either that, or the aunt just wants the money and has no intention of paying off the card.

That brings up another question. If this deal went through, would the mom be writing checks to the storecard company, or to the aunt? And if to the aunt, would she get reciepts to prove that aunty actually paid it to the storecard?

you know my aunt huh?

she has filed bankruptcy every 7 years since 1968

all consumer debt.

she disgusts me

That is disgusting. The rest of us are bearing that burden.


Bankruptcy is designed as a last resort for people that desperately tried, but couldnt survive. After an injury/loss of income, etc...

Not as a regular course of business.

The good news is-since last year, bankrutcy laws have gotten stricter-she'll be having a much harder time fucking the system from here on in.

Let me also say, that I know first-hand how bad credit can be. I dug myself into a deep hole in the 90's and even with a good stable income, it took me 10 years to dig myself out. These days, I owe on my house and my car. I still use my CCs as a convienince, but they don't get a penny of interest from me.

That is disgusting. The rest of us are bearing that burden.


Bankruptcy is designed as a last resort for people that desperately tried, but couldnt survive. After an injury/loss of income, etc...

Not as a regular course of business.

The good news is-since last year, bankrutcy laws have gotten stricter-she'll be having a much harder time fucking the system from here on in.

I hope so, I hope she gets in there next year and they tell her no, that would be so cool........[/vindictive]

That brings up another question. If this deal went through, would the mom be writing checks to the storecard company, or to the aunt? And if to the aunt, would she get reciepts to prove that aunty actually paid it to the storecard?I got the impression that the money was going to the aunt, and that the mom would not be getting receipts.

Would serve her right. I have sympathy for people who lose their jobs or get sick, but none for deadbeats.

In the UK, there are certain things that are considered nessecities, but I don't think there's anything to stop them reposessing your home, assuming you own it.

No offence, but the terms 'addiction' and 'utter lack of self control' do seem to be becoming increasingly synonymous.

*adds to the rant*

I don't buy anything on credit.... I pay cash for everything I own (except the house, have to finance the house, but going 80/20 and paying it off in 10 years.....unless I don't find one soon because the electronic payment is still paying into the down payment fund)

I don't use credit cards, there is nothing you need to buy that badly. Everyone should have a back-up fund, you can start out with $50 a month, almost everyone has $50 a month they can pull from somewhere to put back in a savings account so that if you get a flat tire or your car breaks, or you have to go to the ER you have a little bit of money to cover it. The goal would be to get 3 months of pay set up in there, but it's great just to have a few hundred if that's all you can do.


Good for you. Makes life a little easier,huh?

Right now, we have a 2 month fund. If either my wife OR I lose our jobs, we can go two months looking for a new job. My goal is to have at least three months in that fund where we could pay all bills if we BOTH lost our jobs.
This is in addition to a growing fund we'll never touch unless a car needs unexpected major repairs, the washer machine breaks (not even 6 mos old at this point-still new under warantee) or unexpected dental bills.

We use debit cards for shopping. We have two credit cards soley for absolute emergency or as back-up for ID.

I make a strong effort not to pay any interest other than our mortgage.

I got the impression that the money was going to the aunt, and that the mom would not be getting receipts.

Probably, and that sounds like a great deal - for the aunt.

I got the impression that the money was going to the aunt, and that the mom would not be getting receipts.

that's the typical situtation when she gets into "money stuff" with my aunt.

I bought a car from her once, paid it off in a month, wrote checks for each payment with the payment number and amount still due in the memo, on the last check I wrote in the memo "paid in full"

she took me to court claiming that I didn't pay for the car, I brought in canceled checks that she cashed and the judge ruled on my side.

I explained that I tried to get reciepts but she wouldn't write me one, he said "don't ever borrow anything from her again" and I haven't.

In the UK, there are certain things that are considered nessecities, but I don't think there's anything to stop them reposessing your home, assuming you own it.

No offence, but the terms 'addiction' and 'utter lack of self control' do seem to be becoming increasingly synonymous.

none taken, I think that's why I am so 'personal responsibility' now, is because I am not sure if my meth addiction was anything more than lack of self control. I seem to have done okay quitting after I went through the medical stuff, I don't crave it now unless I am stressed out, and even then I seem to have been able to abstain for quite a few years.

that's the typical situtation when she gets into "money stuff" with my aunt.

I bought a car from her once, paid it off in a month, wrote checks for each payment with the payment number and amount still due in the memo, on the last check I wrote in the memo "paid in full"

she took me to court claiming that I didn't pay for the car, I brought in canceled checks that she cashed and the judge ruled on my side.

I explained that I tried to get reciepts but she wouldn't write me one, he said "don't ever borrow anything from her again" and I haven't.

The judge speaks wisely. Your aunt, she is teh doubleplusungood.

that's the typical situtation when she gets into "money stuff" with my aunt.

I bought a car from her once, paid it off in a month, wrote checks for each payment with the payment number and amount still due in the memo, on the last check I wrote in the memo "paid in full"

she took me to court claiming that I didn't pay for the car, I brought in canceled checks that she cashed and the judge ruled on my side.

I explained that I tried to get reciepts but she wouldn't write me one, he said "don't ever borrow anything from her again" and I haven't.

this came to me when i read this about your aunt
http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/ehlee/Images/Pictures/nelson.gif

In the UK, there are certain things that are considered nessecities, but I don't think there's anything to stop them reposessing your home, assuming you own it.

No offence, but the terms 'addiction' and 'utter lack of self control' do seem to be becoming increasingly synonymous.

These days, there are excuses and special names for all types of stupid, reckless and irresponsible behaviour-all attempting to legitimize it.

If people didnt have all of these special escape hatches, maybe they'd act a little more appropriately.

that's the typical situtation when she gets into "money stuff" with my aunt.

I bought a car from her once, paid it off in a month, wrote checks for each payment with the payment number and amount still due in the memo, on the last check I wrote in the memo "paid in full"

she took me to court claiming that I didn't pay for the car, I brought in canceled checks that she cashed and the judge ruled on my side.

I explained that I tried to get reciepts but she wouldn't write me one, he said "don't ever borrow anything from her again" and I haven't.

Only a true scum bag would deliberately attempt that with family.

Damn- even if I "sold" a car to a relative and they actually DIDNT pay me, I probably wouldnt take them to court-I'd learn from my mistake though.


I managed a repossession company for years and I have heard every low-life bullshit,scumbag story. The last thing I wanted at 3am in Camden or Trenton,NJ.

I've also heard an awful lot of sad,true stories.

Yep-the minimum payment is like a feel good medication that stretches things out for 30 years.

People on fixed income should avoid borrowing on credit like the plague. Certainly with non-necessity items.

You can live without the computer and pay yourself on a regular basis until you have enough.
You'll likely wind up making a better, more informed and appropriate choice and certainly will appreciate it more.

This is actually good advice for everyone. How many people are paying 24% interest on a meal they ate years ago and charged?

Millions of us. And that product isnt even shit in the sewer anymore-Its long gone. But the interest aint.
And thats if you pay as agreed. A monthly late fee is often $35.00 !! Late payment-default rate is often well over 25%. And if these charges happen to bring you over your limit, count on another "over the limit fee" that is usually $35.00 per month.

So-without figuring the interest on your outstanding balance, your credit account can easily cost you an additional $70.00 per month-without even making a purchase!!!

If you are making monthly payments on anything other than a car or home purchase, you need to be extremely careful and examine your spending. Living beyond your means is a nightmare and there are way too many people in that deep hole right now.

No more rant, good luck.

it sounds like its worse over here. if you go over your overdraft or default on a payment the typical cost for your bank to just write you a letter to say "you went over your limit" is £75. they then charge you for each payment that gets bounced while you're in the red (typically about £30), as well as charging you daily interest at stratoscopic rates for the amount you owe over your limit.
to make matters worse, credit control companies are entirely automated and tend to either freeze your cards, freeze any payments going out from your card/account, and knock your credit rating down a few notches.


i know this not because i or my family have been stupid with borrowing or getting credit cards a la smunkee's aunt, but because the recession of '92 hit my parents' business very hard, and we had to borrow like shit off a shovel to keep our house and eat, and we're still paying it off. as such i've had a lot of, thankfully second-hand experience with how evil and inhumane the banks can be to people living on the edge.

i'm hoping, myself, to live as debt-free as i can. i owe 3k in student debt to the govt, but other than that that's about it :) and i intend to keep it that way except for mortgage and car payments (which i intend to minimise).
i will not get a credit card, and have refused many times

It sounds an awful lot like the aunt will pocket the cash and not pay the credit card.

thats why she has a 24% credit card-its the only kind she can get.

Next, she'll be encouraging mom to join a pyramid scheme.

It sounds an awful lot like the aunt will pocket the cash and not pay the credit card.

thats why she has a 24% credit card-its the only kind she can get.

Next, she'll be encouraging mom to join a pyramid scheme.

she has......both the "it's not a pyramid it's a triangle" sign up people to sell vitamins to people.......and the "you give us $100 and next month you will get $2400" type.

I was too young at the time for her to listen to me when I told her that they were both bad bad ideas.

it sounds like its worse over here. if you go over your overdraft or default on a payment the typical cost for your bank to just write you a letter to say "you went over your limit" is £75. they then charge you for each payment that gets bounced while you're in the red (typically about £30), as well as charging you daily interest at stratoscopic rates for the amount you owe over your limit.
to make matters worse, credit control companies are entirely automated and tend to either freeze your cards, freeze any payments going out from your card/account, and knock your credit rating down a few notches.


i know this not because i or my family have been stupid with borrowing or getting credit cards a la smunkee's aunt, but because the recession of '92 hit my parents' business very hard, and we had to borrow like shit off a shovel to keep our house and eat, and we're still paying it off. as such i've had a lot of, thankfully second-hand experience with how evil and inhumane the banks can be to people living on the edge.

i'm hoping, myself, to live as debt-free as i can. i owe 3k in student debt to the govt, but other than that that's about it :) and i intend to keep it that way except for mortgage and car payments (which i intend to minimise).
i will not get a credit card, and have refused many times


I dont see student loans as an inherently bad thing-very few can afford to pay up front out of pocket.
But-your education has a value and presumably will be earning you income in the future. And stdent loans are usually at a fair interest rate to start with. And the ycan usually be defferred as long as you're still a student.

Buying a cd or video game on impulse is different. It will never never be worth any more than you pay for it. Itll likely find its place on the junk pile in the closet very soon.

When you manage your money and credit wisely and protect your crdit rating, it allows you to chose and decide what credit card suits you best.
Fools pay annual service fees and high interest rates.
Wise people have credit, but pay it off monthly,never pay service fees or interest and EARN miles or rewards that suit them.
They make credit work for them, not suck them to death,

You did the right thing Smunkee.

To me, it sounds like aunty-dearest had worked out a way of getting your mom to pay for about 1000 dollars of her Christmas spending.

I dont see student loans as an inherently bad thing-very few can afford to pay up front out of pocket.
But-your education has a value and presumably will be earning you income in the future. And stdent loans are usually at a fair interest rate to start with. And the ycan usually be defferred as long as you're still a student.

Buying a cd or video game on impulse is different. It will never never be worth any more than you pay for it. Itll likely find its place on the junk pile in the closet very soon.

When you manage your money and credit wisely and protect your crdit rating, it allows you to chose and decide what credit card suits you best.
Fools pay annual service fees and high interest rates.
Wise people have credit, but pay it off monthly,never pay service fees or interest and EARN miles or rewards that suit them.
They make credit work for them, not suck them to death,

As a financial advisor, student loan debt is the best debt you can have, if you have to have debt. It's a good investment, a low interest rate, and it's just really not that bad of a thing to finance (if you keep your grades up and really do graduate)

The thing to remember about credit is that to keep your "credit score" good you have to stay in debt. Try not to finance anything if you can help it.

she has......both the "it's not a pyramid it's a triangle" sign up people to sell vitamins to people.......and the "you give us $100 and next month you will get $2400" type.

I was too young at the time for her to listen to me when I told her that they were both bad bad ideas.

Man- Do I know people or what ?

She has already tried Amway,I'm sure. Anything to not actually work or earn.

She has probably figured out how to make herself judgement proof too.

She must be on or is trying to be on disabilty. Thats standard. Probably has some sad story of how she is a victim.

There are probably several judgements circling overhead, waiting for her to deposit money somehwere or expose some other leviable asset. As soon as someone siezes something though, she'll miraculously cough up a few grand to hire an attorney to file a motion to vacate it and keep it.

Its all the system's fault. :mad:

Man- Do I know people or what ?

She has already tried Amway,I'm sure. Anything to not actually work or earn.

She has probably figured out how to make herself judgement proof too.

She must be on or is trying to be on disabilty. Thats standard. Probably has some sad story of how she is a victim.

There are probably several judgements circling overhead, waiting for her to deposit money somehwere or expose some other leviable asset. As soon as someone siezes something though, she'll miraculously cough up a few grand to hire an attorney to file a motion to vacate it and keep it.

Its all the system's fault. :mad:

yeah, you know her. ;)

she is trying to get on disability now, for her "stress" :rolleyes:

yeah, you know her. ;)

she is trying to get on disability now, for her "stress" :rolleyes:

thats well bullshit i hope they tell her were to go

I dont see student loans as an inherently bad thing-very few can afford to pay up front out of pocket.
But-your education has a value and presumably will be earning you income in the future. And stdent loans are usually at a fair interest rate to start with. And the ycan usually be defferred as long as you're still a student.

Buying a cd or video game on impulse is different. It will never never be worth any more than you pay for it. Itll likely find its place on the junk pile in the closet very soon.

When you manage your money and credit wisely and protect your crdit rating, it allows you to chose and decide what credit card suits you best.
Fools pay annual service fees and high interest rates.
Wise people have credit, but pay it off monthly,never pay service fees or interest and EARN miles or rewards that suit them.
They make credit work for them, not suck them to death,

sometimes a cd or dvd (impulse or no) are necessary to make life that little bit more exciting/bearable though

As a financial advisor, student loan debt is the best debt you can have, if you have to have debt. It's a good investment, a low interest rate, and it's just really not that bad of a thing to finance (if you keep your grades up and really do graduate)


in this country student loans from the govt are effectively 0% interest (same interest as the rate of inflation), which is great. and they only chase for payments once you're earning above a certain threshold anyway.
plus, 3 grand isn't so bad.... i think the average is more like 15 or 20 :-S
though, of course, i didn't graduate :(

yeah, you know her. ;)

she is trying to get on disability now, for her "stress" :rolleyes:

I should get some bonus for that.


Yeah-she has stress-she probably has a load of cash in the house and now she's worried someone might relieve her of it.

If she deposits it in her name in a bank, some one that she owes it to might get some.

in this country student loans from the govt are effectively 0% interest (same interest as the rate of inflation), which is great. and they only chase for payments once you're earning above a certain threshold anyway.
plus, 3 grand isn't so bad.... i think the average is more like 15 or 20 :-S
though, of course, i didn't graduate :(

3K at 0% is great, surely you can pay that off soon.

when hubby and I married he had 35K at 4% and hadn't graduated. We paid it off and he is finishing up school now.

You are doing okay, you will be fine.

thats well bullshit i hope they tell her were to go

She'll get it if she is persistant.

I cant fathom how our system continues to support these legions of low-lifes.

She'll get it if she is persistant.

I cant fathom how our system continues to support these legions of low-lifes.

Australia one is just as messed up

She'll get it if she is persistant.

I cant fathom how our system continues to support these legions of low-lifes.

Because caring is no longer a valuable commodity.

To explain - social security type establishments are held to quotas, held to budgets, and held to strict limitations of time. None of those things lends themselves to 'caring' about your customer, although they are not 'bad' things in and of themselves.

So - what you end up with, is an automatic cut-off of a swathe of people, to try to hit quota.

Those who remain or regain their benefits, are those who are persistent, not necessarily those who have 'need'.

The system can't afford enough bodies, and can't afford to take time - so the process becomes number-punching.

The reason this is a problem, is because a system, once it becomes purely mechanical, rewards those who know how to work the system - not those who NEED the system.