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01.09.10, 14:55 PM General Topics
479 replies
Hi ladies, just started a blog! http://potatoespeasandmilk.wordpress.com/ Please let me know your thoughts. :) [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 01.09.10, 02:55 PM Flag
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hate the name [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.09.10, 03:20 PM Flag
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Yes especially as my dc will eat none of them [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.09.10, 03:24 PM Flag
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the name is supposed to be ironic...maybe it'll grow on you. i think the idea is good though - laid off hipster parents living on food stamps/EBT card, unemployment, and other government benefits...but creatively well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 06:59 AM Flag
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No, the idea is in very poor taste, actually. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:23 AM Flag
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C'mon fess up already: Mommy and Daddy are underwriting your little social experiment/play at being "poor" right? Your $405/wk unemployment is just a little walking around money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:17 PM Flag
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The comments on this blog are so bitchy. I think this woman is thinking creatively and maintaining her lifestyle lifestyle (sort of) while on the dole. Ebay is a form of thrifting, if the Armani jacket had been found in a thriftstore rather than ebay, who would blink. 200 dollars on haircuts a year is 54 cents a day roughly. Bluberries - seriously, you are beating someone up for buying blueberries? Would you prefer if she changed into sweatpants and smoked and drank cheap beer? Just because you have lost your job, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice all the things you did and had in your old life. Ppl on the dole have to live. They still have vices. Are you suggesting no one on welfare should smoke/drink/go to the cinema, EVER? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 09:09 AM Flag
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Wow. Put that much effort into getting a JOB and maybe you won't have to worry about "only" getting two $100 haircuts a year. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:09 AM Flag
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I'm sorry, but it is hard for me to feel sorry for someone who is on gov't assistance yet posting innane things about buying designer clothes (I don't care if you get them for 25% of retail on eBay - Armani is a luxury you shouldn't feel you can afford), 4 packages of blueberries for $2.99 (that's expensive for blueberries and they are out of season... i can't imagine they were worth it), subscribes to 7 magazines to "stay current" (um, the internet can be found for free many places, and a few minutes a day online will help you stay current), keeps their nanny even though you don't have a job, etc. Spend a little less time on how to live "well, creatively" and a little more time actually looking for work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:09 AM Flag
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Ditto. Glad I'm subsiding her "lifestyle". Sounds like she lives better than I do! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:23 AM Flag
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ITTTA. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:03 AM Flag
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i don't know if i agree with you. i'm on unemployment and granted, it's not the same as food stamps, but i don't need you to approve of my spending choices. i do a lot of things that you wouldn't agree with. otoh, at least i don't blog about it and talk about how trendy you can be while collecting food stamps. i agree with posters below. i think this will turn a lot of people off. but good luck. it could be there's a group out there that will be impressed and will want to read. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:10 AM Flag
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I don't have a beef with people being on unemployment and I don't care how they spend their money. BUT, people on food stamps should be people who other wise CAN'T AFFORD FOOD. If you are spending on luxuries (7 magazine subscriptions and $70 of netflix) you DON'T NEED FOOD STAMPS!! You can afford food. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:57 AM Flag
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If you need to be on welfare, you can read your magazines at the library. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 02:09 PM Flag
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Amen to that. For shame, lady! For shame! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 04:56 PM Flag
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ITA. It is insane that a person uses food stamps and subscribes to seven magazines. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:21 AM Flag
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Every single one of the magazines she subscribes to can be read for free at the public library. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 02:19 PM Flag
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Armani, at 25% of retail, still costs far more than shopping at Target, KMart, thrift stores, or most other places, really. My husband & I are living fairly well off, but designer clothes are just not in our budget. They're not that important. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 06:56 PM Flag
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I just checked it out. Here are my thoughts in no particular order- Who's your audience? You are on food stamps and getting free education but you are buying Italian cashmere. Seems very contradictory. If your message is that you can still have the finer things how is that perceived by all of the other food stamp recipients. Perhaps you could add in how much you are saving so people could see that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:15 AM Flag
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I hit send too quickly... You don't really seem to be cutting corners- Get rid of the magazines. Why are you spending money on them? Also- check your spelling. There are a number of mistakes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:17 AM Flag
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re: magazines - i subscribe for two reasons: for my work, it's my job to know what's current. and to support print, because fashion magazines are closing left and right, and this is my contribution to support my industry. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:49 AM Flag
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Can't you get all of them online? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:51 AM Flag
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I thought you didn't have a job... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:01 AM Flag
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Eh. Put that cash toward your groceries rather than making ME pay for them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:03 AM Flag
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Subscription dollars don't mean a hot damn to magazine revenues. If you really were in the 'industry' you'd know that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 09:35 AM Flag
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If it's your "job to know what's current",I don't wonder why you're currently unemployed. Your blah-g is low-rent in style and content;it's as dull as a butter knife. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 11:27 AM Flag
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Yes, it does sound contradictory, but the emphasis is Quality equals Value. Meaning skip the acrylic sweater you would buy this winter at a cheap store for $40, which eventually falls apart. Buy quality products and have it forever. It just makes more sense. :) Living poor does not mean compromising on taste, quality, and life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:40 AM Flag
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Well, then. Guess we should ALL go on the dole and not compromise on taste, quality and life. Why bother slaving away at work when there's a bottomless font of govt benefits there for the taking?! Oh, wait--if everyone did this, there wouldn't be anyone to PAY for it! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:44 AM Flag
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I know! I work and don't do most of the things she still does while unemployed! I wouldn't mind free food or education. I would draw the line at bringing my own flask of booze to someone's party or out to a bar. Can you imagine? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:54 AM Flag
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going on the "dole" is not a choice. if i had it my way, i would still be making $75K and my husband $150K. but we don't. we make $405 a week for a family of 5. we don't like to eat crap and we happen to like cafe bustelo ($2.99) over folgers ($2.49). we buy blueberries for our kids and freeze them for their pancakes and desserts. we buy quality products because we think long term. we don't milk the system, we thank the system. if you have not been laid off yet, you would not understand. my blog is for the unfortunate people out there who can't find work. for the people who have lived well working in creative jobs in nyc prior to the recession, but now find it impossible to even get an paid internship. it is a guide to live well creatively within your means. give it a chance. fyi, i do look for work. and when i do find work, it put it in a savings account for our family's emergency fund. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:04 AM Flag
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Lady, you're hosting dinner parties and buying cases of wine--on taxpayers' money! People who are skint shouldn't be worrying about hosting dinners for 10 people. You're extraordinarily smug about all the goodies you've been able to get. That said, I'm sure plenty of UBers will read your blog. Your attitude is so objectionable that you're like a trainwreck; it's hard to look away. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:08 AM Flag
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You hit the nail on the head. I hadn't been able to figure out why this was all bothering me and after reading OPs post above yours, I started to really feel sorry for her. However, it's the hosting parties and cases of wine that don't sit well with me. Not that she shouldn't still enjoy things, but when it's smugly talked about it becomes offensive. There are SO many people who are struggling- really struggling- and they are not able to do these things. Thanks for making me realize why I shouldn't feel sorry for her! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:14 AM Flag
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to be hipster is to be smug, kind of like to be jewish is to be sarcastic. it's just language honey. read the message. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:21 AM Flag
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barf...read the sentence above and tell us what's wrong with it, unless you're too dense to notice. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:02 AM Flag
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I work my ass off every day and there were times last year when I had to make tough choices and chose food over a nice bottle of wine. This blog she has only proves that gov't can be too generous. She can sit around in her cashmere sweater and sit on her ass and read mags and watch movies all day and she probably prefers that than making an honest living at a lower paying job which would disqualify her from all these gov't hand outs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:59 AM Flag
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It hits send to early too. What this is all about is ENTITLEMENT, and I am not talking about the gov't kind. She believes that she is entitled to this lifestyle or entitled to $225k income per year. That is the source of outrage here I believe. Otherwise, someone would be driving a cab or working at Starbucks, until they found something in their "creative" field. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:03 AM Flag
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There are a few things humans generally need: [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:16 AM Flag
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I give up. You probably wouldn't get it. It's obvious you believe that poor people should live miserably. That way, you feel better about yourself and your standard of living. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:19 AM Flag
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Cases of wine; dinner parties; dicount Armani; $100 haircuts are needs? Many (if not most) people who DON'T receive govt money often don't have such luxuries. If poor people live this sort of life, why bothering trying to earn a living? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:24 AM Flag
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Precisely! Let's discuss needs vs. wants. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:26 AM Flag
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Yes. But maybe "Hipster" is a species unto itself with needs quite different from those of mere un-Hipster humans. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:30 AM Flag
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Do the math: 12 bottles of $8 wine = $16 per month for alcohol. $100 haircut 2 times a year = $33 average trim every 2 months. $40 armani jacket = duh. Seriously, don't hate because I have good taste and a good method. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:32 AM Flag
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You're a piece of work. Really. The part where you advise keeping your NANNY part time is especially rich. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:37 AM Flag
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She works 3-5 hours a day so that I can concentrate on writing, sending emails and resumes, taking prospective business calls, going to school, going on interviews, and working freelance jobs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:12 AM Flag
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Honestly, how do you afford a nanny on $405 a week? I can't afford a nanny and we have more $ than that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:44 AM Flag
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Aren't you and your husband both unemployed? Can't you take turns giving each other time to job hunt, etc? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:34 PM Flag
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yep, one that would be the most logical solution, but OP does not use her brain. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:24 AM Flag
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listen, may of these same people have more respect for the mom who spend $10-2x/week for KFC for her overweight kids..then you buying frozen blueberries for your kids for $2.99 - b/c she is doing the "acceptable" poor lady thing and you are being to "fancy"--soooo dumb. i think what you are doing is great. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:49 AM Flag
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Thanks for the support. :) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:09 AM Flag
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Hey, I was on food stamps for awhile AND wic. Top it all off, I'm black.I am also college educated and used to living a UMC life. We fell on extremely hard times(illness ate into savings, laid off jobs etc.). I would get dirty looks from people at the grocery line, even more so because my cart would be filled with vegetables, fresh fruits, and better quality of foods. Why? because while our money situation was only temporary--as the mother/wife I am laying down the foundation for the health of my family and eventually my children's families with every choice that I make. Now we are doing much better but I will always strive to make the better choice, no matter my pocketbook-this more than money is the difference between the social classes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:41 AM Flag
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I agree with your philosophy and think you sound like a very good person and parent. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 02:03 PM Flag
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Yes, because buying KFC instead of blueberries it exactly the same as buying a case of wine and Armani jacket. Exactly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:45 AM Flag
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LOL. But Hipsters neeeeeeeeeeeeeed wine and designer jackets or their little Hipster hearts will break. Let's have a telethon in support of Hipsters' wine and designer wardrobes! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:49 AM Flag
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many families will buy 2 bottle of RC soda for 99cents each 3x/week and no one gives them sh** - but an $8/bottle of wine is a problem? I have stood on line with women who spend $50 on total crap at the dollar store - kids clothes, FOOD, sugar soda, and yet no one would criticize her. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:51 AM Flag
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I don't think that's true. The food choices for the poor has been debated numerous times on here, with soda fatty foods slammed every time. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:54 AM Flag
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You are buying Armani for the name only, so I don't care if it's $40 or $400, you're spending money you don't have and sponging off the government. My liberal heart just exploded when I typed that. Ugh. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:44 AM Flag
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np At least there's hope for some of you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:46 AM Flag
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LOL. There's nothing wrong with public assistance, only that you recieve it and then spend the money on booze. Imagine if a LMC or LC person said that? The rules are no different for a formerly UMC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:53 AM Flag
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That armani jacket will last 5 times as long as a crap jacket. why dont all of you on the other sie of the camp - today take a nice stroll through kmart and see how much $$ most people spend on garbage that breaks and rips within a month..SUSTAINABILITY BEGINS WITH BUYING LESS, AND ONLY BUYING THINGS THAT LAST - OR BUYING USED THINGS...duhhhhhhhh [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:54 AM Flag
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Please. On $405 a week, you shouldn't buy a STITCH of clothing unless your kids outgrow something. You make do with what you have--like many people who have actual jobs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:58 AM Flag
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You do realize that in between Armani and KMart, are a whole host of options? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:00 AM Flag
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like what a jacket for $20 at a thrift shop...don't get the big deal - its $30..a great find by any standards. nice cut, great fabric, and a brand that makes quality things.two hundred years ago there were some furniture makers that made better furniture than others - today they are antiques you can still use, and the others are junk long discarded...yes some companies make better product - and sometimes you can get them at prices that typically would be for junk. i say brava! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:17 AM Flag
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OK, but if the argument is that buying quality will last forever, then why can't she keep wearing what she already has and not buy new things this season? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:35 PM Flag
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like wine and $100 haircuts [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:59 PM Flag
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But you don't NEED alcohol. It's not a necessity. And if you figure it out - you have spent an entire week's salary on wine, 2 haircuts, and a jacket. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:00 PM Flag
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np I need wine [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:40 AM Flag
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np we are poor and buy cases of wine but we buy $3.99 a bottle that are on sale from $9 a bottle at the buyrite=- you can also go way cheaper if you wish to buy at trader joes. There are 3.99 pinot grigios - cut your price in half since you are trying to cut back better yet - let people bring wine to your dinner parties. All my guests do [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:37 AM Flag
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Give it up 'Hipster Chickie'.Your blog is weak and it's beyond silly to think that that term is relevant in any major urban(or suburban environment).Gossip Girl,out... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:08 PM Flag
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absolutely [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:48 PM Flag
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i like it. people don't get having taste and having a new set of parameters to deal with. you don't need to buy acrylic crap at kmart once your income is not there and yes I think many people would find this a fun read that might be useful [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:45 AM Flag
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:) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:09 AM Flag
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If you'd exercised the knack for living well on a reasonable budget, you'd likely have a wardrobe of quality,wearable options and could understand 'living within your adjusted means'.I don't think any of OP's arguments are interesting or well made, so no surprise that her blog is being slammed.KMart isn't a point here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 05:38 AM Flag
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I'm trying not to join the choir of snark, but there's just not enough material here for a blog. There are a gazillion blogs out there in the hip-mama category and some of them are really, really good--stylish, creative, funny, clever. A lot of them are by prople who are living thrifty, creative lifestyles--have started lives over off the grid or on a sheep farm or make all of their family's clothes, etc. There may be room for a mom-blog about thrifty living in the city, but it has to be way, way more than eBay Armani and cutting back on fancy haircuts. A lot of us have been doing that for a long time--it's not exactly news to us that Burt's Bees costs less than Kiehl's or that yeah--coffee is a can is actually quite quaffable! Give me dooce's humor, the Sartorialist's style, finslippy's bitter charm, but give me something. Move to a farm in Maine and start raising guinea pigs for food--something! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:19 PM Flag
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np If my income was $405 a week, I wouldn't be buying ANY clothing for myself--acrylic or cashmere. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:32 AM Flag
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np: sounds like they have two people on unemployment. so thats' 810 a week. plus another 50 b/c there's an extra 25/week per person now. if they are getting food stamps as well, they actually have the money to spend. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:37 AM Flag
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^^^and just in case anyone cares, it's the blueberries that bother me more than anything. there's nothing wrong with splurging eveyr once in a while. but to spend $3 for blueberries and think you were spending-savvy, just made me roll my eyes. but otoh, op, i think good for you for putting your name out there and trying. good luck with it. (disclaimer: i posted above as well) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:38 AM Flag
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She states above that their income is $405 for a family of 5. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:50 AM Flag
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she's stretching the truth. they are not spending 1600 a month. there's either other income coming in or they aren't paying housing expenses or something. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:50 AM Flag
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Probably in a rent controlled apt. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:54 AM Flag
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that would be pretty funny [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:07 PM Flag
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wrong. my husband is a freelancer and does not have benefits. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:03 AM Flag
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Are either of you trying to get a job? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:06 AM Flag
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We do get work freelance occasionally. When we do, I don't claim my unemployment benefits. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:08 AM Flag
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But are you trying to get a REGULAR, consistent job? Or do you feel that's beneath you? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:10 AM Flag
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In this economy, there is no such thing as a regular consistent job. Every company is exploiting the worker - go to Craigslist. There is an abundance of "internships" available now. Companies can now get people to work for free doing my job. It's tough out there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:14 AM Flag
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Companies aren't going to start hiring if they don't know what their costs are going to be in the future. Gov't is in the middle of screwing around with everyone's costs of doing business so the rest of us are in a holding pattern. We own a small business. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:02 PM Flag
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Sure you don't. I bet you are pocketing the money and not declaring it so you can keep getting all of your freebies from the government. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:04 PM Flag
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Ditto. Interesting how she hasn't answered any of the questions about her housing costs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:11 PM Flag
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I think she thinks she is entitled to living well despite not having a job. I think she gets some money on the side, thought food stamps would be a GREAT idea to get more money, and thinks she's really cunning to write a blog that gets a lot of publicity, neg or pos. But I think it is despicable and I think she is going to get criticized for it and lessen her job prospects. Not much difference between her and Spencer Pratt at the end of the day. Except he's not on food stamps. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:30 PM Flag
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I'm surprised she'd post her photos--not too long until her name is known. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:28 PM Flag
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They're not photos of her. They're from a well-known fashion-photography blog which is perplexing as hell--why on earth would anyone use photos from someone else's blog to illustrate their blog? So uncool. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:26 AM Flag
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np I'd be PISSED if I were that woman. What about the photo of the couple with the kid? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:31 AM Flag
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Pretty sure also from The Sartorialist. Frankly, I'd be pissed if I were him--certainly at a glance the impression it gives, if you're not familiar with his blog and his photo style, that these are original photos of the blogger. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:43 AM Flag
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Absolutely. Somewhere in this thread, someone said OP's dd was cute--when the photo isn't even hers! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:58 AM Flag
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FYI, The Sartorialist is a man. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:20 AM Flag
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To be fair to OP, I think "she" referred to the woman in the photograph. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:02 PM Flag
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Are these supposed to be words of wisdom? There are too many contradictions. Why were you hosting a holiday dinner when you knew your bank account was going to hit zero? Sounds like you got yourself in this position by making poor choices.I think it is really insulting to people on welfare who are not used to wearing designer clothes, drinking espresso... It's insulting to people who really need government support (and my tax money). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:21 AM Flag
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np It's also insulting to those of us PAYING for her groceries and WIC and education and other stuff. Bizarre that she's so proud of being a sponger that she created a blog about how to milk the system. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:27 AM Flag
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LOL! Maybe that's where the MILK part of the name comes in! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:30 AM Flag
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lolol. She should change the blog's name: potatoespeasandmilkthetaxpayerdry [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:38 AM Flag
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lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:03 PM Flag
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Bet you voted for Obama and are now disappointed that all the freebies he promised the likes of you haven't materialized. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:24 AM Flag
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Your audience of self-identifying hipster parents is very small. If you are aiming for a wider audience, expect a lot of snark and disdain, if not outright resentment. The truly frugal people will laugh the Italian cashmere and $100 haircuts. (I will say your daughter is very cute, btw) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:52 AM Flag
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ps - delete the references to "hipsters" and you will easily double your audience. It's pretty obvious from the photos that you are, indeed, a hipster, but the label turns a lot of people off. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:59 AM Flag
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np Do you think those photos are really of her? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:00 AM Flag
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i just took a quick look but it appears to be the same woman in all the photos. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:02 AM Flag
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Guess she's really proud of being on the take. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:04 AM Flag
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no,no, no--those photos are from The Sartorialist (excellent fashion blog). She's just using them as a kind of illustration, though frankly I think it's a little odd to lift photos from one blog--a photography blog, no less--and use them as illustrations on your own blog. I know you credit them, OP, but I don't think it's quite right. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:23 PM Flag
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your title should include words that will drive your core audience to you in search engines. potatoes, peas, and hipster are not it. find a title that has "mom" "budget" "recession" "style" etc...be witty within that - get more traffic, gets rid of the word hipster which might offend and not help drive your numbers and the only people you will get with potatoes and peas are people looking for recipes. signed - seasoned blogger, mom, writer [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:53 AM Flag
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I can'tget over the $100 haircut. I've never had a $100 haircut in my life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:46 AM Flag
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I've had one and decided it wasn't worth it. I make $350k. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:50 AM Flag
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i have and they generally last twice as long as the others..with that said - i shopped around and found a top notch stylist for $65...you can get a cheaper stylist [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:59 AM Flag
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i think its fun to read and if you get on radar of a cool mag or site you might get some writing gig - which i imagine is the objective. PS-you can get designer clothes at Marshalls, great dry foods-oils-chocolates-coffees etc at TJ Max, and shop for 2nd hand home stuff off craigslist - i bought a bunch of stuff like that by searching under "interior designer" and found 2 selling excess stuff - like $500 lamps for $50 and an ottoman that probably sold for $3-4,ooo for $300 etc etc...thrift shop finds, asian accessories from Chinatown, Etsy for all kinds of great cheap one of a kind stuff...I have been doing this for YEARS. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:43 AM Flag
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THANK YOU! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:08 AM Flag
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I would so much rather read *your* blog than hers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:07 AM Flag
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She's got a good point in terms of being cash poor does not mean that you have to have a poor mindset. I think that this will be realized to a greater extent in these economic times as more previously MC/UMC find themselves on the bottom rungs financially. So she's using food stamps-should she buy top ramen and other poor food choices? Don't people rail against that all of the time: poor people eat the wrong things. She presents an interesting social experiment, feeds into the nature vs. nurture debate among social classes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:33 AM Flag
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np The nutritious food thing is a tiny piece of this. The objectionable parts? Dinner parties, cases of wine, fancy espresso, designer clothes... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:43 AM Flag
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for years i worked with artists in the late seventies and early 80's ...all dirt poor and i have to say, not one ever thought a bottle of wine, and the company of other humans as being a splurge...in my old country - we never had money - but we would always entertained... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:48 AM Flag
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Feeding "other humans" aside from your kids when food stamps and WIC (funded by taxpayers) are buying your groceries is not only a splurge, but downright ridiculous. Ditto a case of $8 bottles of wine when your hhi is so low you qualify for these programs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:51 AM Flag
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Ditto-quality of life. Living vs. just existing. Many of the French are poor but compare them to most of the American poor-big difference. There is this idea that having less finances does not give you an excuse to live less. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:09 AM Flag
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That's just WRONG when you've living off the taxpayer. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:13 AM Flag
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so taxpayer's should dictate how benefit recipients should live their lives? off with their heads! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:32 AM Flag
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These are programs of LAST RESORT. You're not meant to be living the high life on food stamps and WIC! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:43 AM Flag
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I've heard and read enough remarks to know that the "uneducated poor" are judged far more harshly for spending their government-supplied money on booze, but here it's just a sophisticated European mindset. Laffs! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:53 AM Flag
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lol. ITA [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:00 AM Flag
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Were these people on unemployment? If it's your money I don't care. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:06 PM Flag
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Two completely different things. Wine, designer clothes, and expensive haircuts are not necessary things in terms of keeping yourself well groomed and well dressed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:51 AM Flag
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You're comparing your outrageous spending habits to a day laborer who likes to iron his shirt? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:35 AM Flag
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And whose wife probably makes their clothes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:42 AM Flag
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and ding her wife for making delicious dinners... as opposed to what, eating glue? Or does she not think day laborers can wear ironed shirts? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:47 AM Flag
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Seriously, a true parrallel woudl be if he sent out teh shirts to be laundered. Ironing is free. Not the same thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:49 AM Flag
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Who works for his own money as well... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:07 PM Flag
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i had a grandmother who never had a lot of money - but was always dressed so beautifully. she took great care in buying a couple of beautiful scarves or a lovely pair of sock, always painting her nails, having less food, but delicious things that she took care in preparing - - she would never have gone to the dollar store...she would have spent three dollars on something of better value and took more care in being creative to make it more special. folks who went through the war, older generations never compromised good taste for lack of funds...buying a $30 armani jacket that this woman will be able to inherit to her daughter is far wiser than spending $30 on kids jeans at old navy or buying 2 pairs for $16 at Kmart...this type of thinking is actually what got this country in its mess in the first place. we need to buy less, higher quality and make it go further. i think the one thing this blog misses is the lessons in sustainability and conscious living that comes with these choices. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:45 AM Flag
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THANK-YOU THANK-YOU!!! not OP but very aghast at the mindsets of many people. I had a relatives just like your grandmother. Our culture has become so hooked into disposable everything that we never take into account cost per wear/use. A truly cost conscious person does this and realizes that true quality(not just name brand) trumps cheap price many times. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:12 AM Flag
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np I am no hipster & buy mainly cheap clothes (and not a lot of them at that). They last plenty long. "True quality" is hard to find at any reasonable price. And I think most people who are truly stretched for cash definitely take cost per wear/use into account. They just need jeans for their kids much more than they need Armani jackets for themselves. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:20 AM Flag
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Problem is OP has NO disposable income. Her income is $1620 a MONTH. In NYC. That's way below the poverty line; she has no business buying designer clothes (or any clothes, for that matter). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:46 AM Flag
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Especially considering the fact that they were so cash flush before they started playing the system she already had a closet full. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:57 AM Flag
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ita. I have a high hhi, and I don't buy clothes if we have other priorities. Clearly OP has enough clothing to get by without buying more, but she's just so damned entitled that she can't see that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:03 AM Flag
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But don't you understand, she has an image to uphold! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:18 AM Flag
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And was your grandmother on WIC or food stamps? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:47 PM Flag
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Ha! Was thinking the same thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:14 PM Flag
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yes, she was on food stamps actually, and an immigrant and use to on occasion in the 80's buy old clothes and trinkets on Astor when they sold stuff on the street...but always such cool and interesting things. she would buy beautiful old crystal cups for 50cents from thrift stores...everything she had was so special...yes - and all on food stamps, and the little cash she had. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:37 PM Flag
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So, she was out buying gorgeous scarves even though she was so poor she got food stamps? I don't think this is an admirable thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:45 AM Flag
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she afforded herself $3 on a thrift shop find...to still feel beautiful in her seventies...yes...and bought food with food stamps. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:12 PM Flag
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YOu're really grudging grandma a $3 scarf? Methinks you take it a bit too far. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.14.10, 08:04 AM Flag
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Flames aside - no one is going to read you if you don't get a little more creative than "cook spaghetti and meat sauce!" or "drop Kiehl's for Burt's Bees!". This stuff is beyond obvious! Find me a REALLY cheap drugstore product that actually helps with winter dry skin. A foodstuff I haven't been eating my whole life. etc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:46 AM Flag
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That's what really bothers me. She waves it around like she has these awesome thrifty secrets. Makes me wonder how outrageously she spent her money before. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:48 AM Flag
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OR here - yes I agree. It's laughable really. But that gives me an idea, blogger dear. Maybe you could play up that humour aspect - that you previously had no clue how most of MC American lives (Burt's Bees is a splurge, pasta is normal), and now you are learning some hard but funny lessons while simultaneously dressing well. BTW my personal definition of hipster is someone who manages to look cool without dropping big bucks on everything. One pair of cool frames to make an entire wardrobe look fresh, yes. Kiehl's? Nope. That's just rich and stupid nothing hip about it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:00 AM Flag
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Yes, perhaps drop the smug for the self-deprecating. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:03 AM Flag
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Burt's Bees isn't exactly a bargain priced collection of products. OP is a brat. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:53 AM Flag
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no kidding. how about some drugstore finds instead? yeesh. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:55 AM Flag
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you don't need stuff from drugstores - many remedies you can make at home. from cleaning products to remedies for headaches, stomach aches, diaper rash, PMS, face creams, face masks etc - also all is natural, safe, effective and GREEN. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:58 AM Flag
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Dove Nutrium Body Wash for sensitive skin. Really helped with son's eczema. Was able to take him off prescription creams. Helped with my itchy arms. Follow with Cerave Cream. Found it at Walgreens. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:09 PM Flag
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ditto or tritto. Cutting back to Burt's Bees is not exactly a boo-hoo, or a reason to pat someone on the back for their thrift. Try some Vaseline, OK? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:31 PM Flag
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I love that you were living beyond your means before and now that you're actually living within your means and discovering these money savings secrets that you expect a pat on the back. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:00 AM Flag
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lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:07 AM Flag
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And a book deal! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:04 AM Flag
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OP are you here??? Well, you asked for our thoughts and boy have we been giving them. How would you sum this all up now? What might you change about your blog, if anything? Curious, too, about what input you had expected to get from us. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:15 AM Flag
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np She wanted reactions like this: "Wow, it's great you've been able to keep your super cool hipster lifestyle; you're an inspiration". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:17 AM Flag
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Very helpful. Thank you. I think the whole idea of emphasizing on sustainability is interesting, as this has always been my philosophy. I like that so many people are against the term "hipster." To me, a lot of my friends are hipsters, or at least post-hipsters. When you lived in NYC from 2000-2008, and you worked in a creative environment, or are surrounded by creative people, and make a decent living which allows you to consume an abundant amount cool and savvy products with the illusion that the product will define you - you are a hipster. So I know a lot of them - they just don't admit it. The mindset is still there, the paycheck isn't. My blog is away to educate them - the hipsters or anyone who lived well before the recession - that being poor is not a problem, it's a means to a solution...and it is ever evolving. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:27 AM Flag
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So, you concede it's an "illusion" that products will define you--even when you've got money. Yet you continue to strive toward the illusion when you're broke? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:48 AM Flag
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^^^I'm sure you could scare up some freebie therapy to deal with that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:04 AM Flag
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you would be a fool if you did not believe that we have become a world where brands define us. look at your computer - is it a pc or a mac? look at your cellphone - is it by verizon or tmobile? look at your cereal - is it cheerios or kellogs corn flakes? do you like starbucks or do you prefer folgers? do you shop at the gap or old navy? seriously...it's about choices. I chose to give me children blueberries over boxed snacks. I chose to drink good cheap wine on occasion to be festive. i chose to have dinner parties to see my friends and celebrate life. i chose to buy armani because it fits well and it lasts longer than the ordinary crap on broadway. i chose to use my unemployment on sophisticated products that have been carefully reviewed and researched. i chose to see my hair stylist because his cuts lasts 3-4 months longer than a shitty barber. I chose to spend my benefits, that i have paid for as a taxpayer myself for the past 20 years the way i see fit. we are in a recession. as long as i am looking for work, taking care of my family, and spending back into this economy, nothing else matters. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:16 AM Flag
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You have serious issues. I make choices--but I have an income not derived from govt benefits. You have NO money. You put your damned bank statement up on your blog, remember? $5 and some odd cents and all your food stamp cash is gone because you spent unwisely (an $80 dinner? Please.) That's just irresponsible. Same as it would be it you were living in a trailer park in Arkansas drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon. The Armani jacket and $8 wine and great NYC apt (which you're OBVIOUSLY getting a sweet deal on) don't make your brand of dependence superior. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:27 AM Flag
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You are abusing WIC, plain and simple. It's gross and unethical. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:50 PM Flag
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I've posted several replies here and I'm compelled to comment again.I'm broke, freelance,not using public assistance and do believe it's important to keep those programs in place WITH SERIOUS REFORM.It is sickening to stand on a cashier's line at a discount surplus store and witness a 'real' jewelry laden,designer boot and jacket wearing patron rifling past a sheaf of $50s&$20s- to retrieve a WIC card-all the while yappin'away on a new ANDROID-in Spanish(which I am)-about her asshole boss. This shit stinks and needs shoveling.I don't believe OP goes through the reporting and refiling process when she gets a freelance gig. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 05:29 AM Flag
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Oh please, you're killing me with cluelessness. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 11:30 AM Flag
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I thought 'hipster' was just a term coined to make posers and poseurs seem more hip. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:09 AM Flag
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I would like to welcome you to the way a good 75% of the American population lives. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:22 AM Flag
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np Don't forget that they do this using their OWN money... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:28 AM Flag
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I've never known anyone to define themselves as a hipster. I always thought it was a term other people used to describe someone who was too into cool. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:49 PM Flag
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The hipsters are all full of themselves. That's why we don't like them. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:10 PM Flag
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Your blog isn't going to educate a chicken. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 06:23 PM Flag
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Sorry to interject again-but the most "creative" work environments had narrowed to money management,sleight of hand careers such as real estate and hedge by 2000-2008.Just sayin'... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:28 AM Flag
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I thought this was interesting. (And for those criticizing about the blueberries, at least she's trying to feed her family in a healthy way.) It would be more interesting if she talked about how she feels about her decrease in cash flow and how it's affecting or not affecting her life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:26 AM Flag
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I agree. I quite enjoyed your bog. Some UBers can take things a bit too far. Like above poster stated, it'd be interesting to hear more personal stories. And honestly, I don't want to sound nasty, because I like your blog, but if you maybe stopped the 'hipster' thing. I've never met a hip person that called themselves hip...they just where. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 10:44 AM Flag
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Actually,there are SO many options and ways to acquire NECESSITIES on limited income(housing being the farthest reach) which aren't really the focus. It isn't very impressive to approach the body of the blog from a luxury acquisition angle.I'm not against getting help and public assistance when you need it.I've paid exorbitant tax dollars over decades of 1099 tax filings and have yet to avail myself of state/fed assistance. The blog lacks appeal to me, simply because I don't respect the ignorance of the creator. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:20 AM Flag
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Either that was the most wonderful typo("bog') or you're my new favorite 'wit-ster'... bog,bogging, bogged (adverb; when tr, often passive) to impede or be impeded physically or mentally [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 05:34 AM Flag
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Gave it a good look,forwarded it to several. Majority of former&latter have lived and worked in nyc & major int'l fashion/beauty/music/advertising/art realms. 90% agree it needs to be pulled,reconfigured and less slimy. It reminds me personally of a friend living in a fab, 11rm, UWS apt(entire life)that's been largely converted to massively overpriced coops. She's gone to great lengths to 'blend' in to the new population and doesn't get how great it is that she's got a great'forever' lease. I don't care for the blog. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:05 AM Flag
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btw-That Armani jacket is butt. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:06 AM Flag
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lol. That one outfit looks like something the girls in bananarama would have worn circa 1986. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:10 AM Flag
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I agree. I think she overpaid. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:10 PM Flag
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OP got exactly what she wanted - tons of traffic and buzz. Now all it takes is other blogs linking, advertisers, a story in a magazine, and then a book deal! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:07 AM Flag
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Well, that would be great. Because then she could by her hipster coffee, wine, blueberries dinner party Chinese food and fug Armani jackets with HER money rather than MINE. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:18 AM Flag
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congrats, OP! Nice strategy! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:22 AM Flag
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good for her. but it won't help unless she changes something. she's gotten very good advice here. i don't need to go to a blog to read about meat and tomato sauce or buying designer clothing on ebay. she doesn't give enough personal information about herself for me to care that SHE made meat and tomato sauce or bought clothing on ebay. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:53 AM Flag
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ITD--I went to look at it because of the thread, but didn't read or see anything there that would make me go back. Best thing was seeing Scott Schuman's photos. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:33 PM Flag
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lololol. Love the bit about the day laborer. Weird comparison given that YOU live off taxpayers and that guy goes to work to make his $50. He also has a much lower cost of living. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:17 AM Flag
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But he's got a well-dressed wife, so they're exactly alike. Don't you seeeeee? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:28 AM Flag
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But does she have ARMANI!!!! jackets (they fit well--even though they're bought on e-bay and tailored to someone else's boday)?! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:31 AM Flag
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Your blog is as shallow as you are. Go watch Julie and Julia again and dream of your own blogs-to-riches deal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:42 AM Flag
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it sucks [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:44 AM Flag
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I think hipsteronthetake would be a better title. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:47 AM Flag
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LOL!!! I HATE 'hipster'...who really uses that word to call themselves...too funny! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:07 PM Flag
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After reading these comments, I expected the blog to be an insulting roadmap on how to milk the system. Um, no, it focuses on how to live a decent life for less during hard times. These are tips we can all make use of while trying to conserve resources. ITA that in a duel between a $30 Armani jacket vs. a $25 KMart jacket, Armani wins. It will last longer and is more versatile, hence less expensive in the aggregate. This "value in the aggregate" theme winds through all of the author's posts. Very odd to me that so many women on this board had such a negative response. BTW Blogger - fix the spelling errors; it loses credibility. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:54 AM Flag
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If she were in a lower socio-economic strata and bragging...I mean blogging about buying cheap wine by the case while making $405/week with three children, I bet your response wouldn't be so forgiving. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:59 AM Flag
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ittta. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:03 PM Flag
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This is certainly an issue of class--what we will tolerate from one level is not the same across the board. Ain't entitlement a beautiful thing? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:07 PM Flag
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so lesson learned. people are turned off by other people saying "here's how i can live high even though i'm on public assistance" but they admire "here's how i can live high even though our income has been cut drastically". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 11:59 AM Flag
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np Right. Makes sense to me. It's the difference between being on the take and being thrify using your own money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:05 PM Flag
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Most people I knew were on WIC when I was growing up, and there were a few, were desperate to get off it, not milk it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:08 PM Flag
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np Well, OP is just fine with being on it (and foodstamps), so I don't see your point... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:20 PM Flag
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Sadly, you're right. *sigh* [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:21 PM Flag
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not in my experience. the people i know on it are very happy to take it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:23 PM Flag
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Then OP is just as shady. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:26 PM Flag
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not only that, there's something odd about her spending habits. i know b/c i'm on unemployment and earning a similar amount. dh's income is going towards housing expenses. so i'm on a pretty similar budget. i sympathize with someone splurging on a party . and i occasionally buy myself an article of clothing. but either it's happening very rarely for her, or they have a lot more money to spend. granted, if she's earning unemployment and getting food stamps,and she somehow has no housing expenses, then yeah, she can afford it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:10 PM Flag
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It focuses on how much free stuff OP can get from the govt and how she continues to try to live like she has an income beyond unemployment, WIC and foodstamps. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:00 PM Flag
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Will someone please tell me who these people are (on this board) that are choosing either Armani on eBay or KMart? I've never heard of such a false choice on UB before. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:13 PM Flag
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C'mon fess up already: Mommy and Daddy are underwriting your little social experiment/play at being "poor" right? Your $405/wk unemployment is just a little walking around money. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:18 PM Flag
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lol. They probably own that fab apt. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:21 PM Flag
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i'm also waiting to hear back from her. rent? mortgage? other income? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:22 PM Flag
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Someone else is clearly picking up all or most of her housing bill--whether that the landlord and long suffering taxpayer or mummy and daddy, who knows. But one thing's for certain: She's not paying maintenance and mtg or market rent on $1600 a month. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:25 PM Flag
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Helps pay for her NANNY, I guess... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:22 PM Flag
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Have you seen the blog Resolved2worship- This woman did AMAZING things with a storefront rental that they turned into their home for themselves and their 7 or 8 kids. They supposedly have no money as well(saying supposedly not to be snarky but because I am not their accountant so I don't know). If you are creative, much can be done on nothing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:51 PM Flag
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Where does Resolved2worship live? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:11 PM Flag
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I think Texas or down south. Okay not NYC but she definitely made something beautiful out of nothing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:31 PM Flag
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Wow. I think you guys are being hard on OP. She and her dh don't have any income! Thank god there is a system to help people like her trough welfare or foodstamps. I don't begrudge her for the occasional "splurge" of a whopping 70 a YEAR for neflix. Jeez. You people think that now that she is on welfare, she has to be 100% miserable too? I like your blog, OP. And I think it is useful. I'll read it, even though I make 450K a year and pay shitload in taxes begrudgingly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:23 PM Flag
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do you really think it's useful? in what way? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:25 PM Flag
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the tips on what to do if you lose your job. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:26 PM Flag
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^^I do want to know why you need a nanny though--at all. Neither you or dh work. That is over the top. Also, what do you pay for your apt and how big is it? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:25 PM Flag
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Right. They barely have income, and she's "economizing" by doing such things as hosting dinner parties costing $40 (that would pay for a nice amount of food for her kids) and subbing Burt's Bees for Keihl's. Doesn't really work with her income level, imo. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:28 PM Flag
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40 is nothing for a dinner party, btw. Ok, maybe *I* would use the drugstore brand moisturizer, but that is not the point of her blog [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:32 PM Flag
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No, the point of her blog is a book deal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:35 PM Flag
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I don't think there will be a book deal from this. Look how few people even like her blog! It's just annoying and wouldn't appeal to a big audience- and even after reading all of these comments I am still not sure who the audience is. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:46 PM Flag
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Why, the audience is broke hipsters who need advice on how to collect govt money and yet still lead a life full of good espresso, wine, dinner parties, and fine clothing, of course. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:52 PM Flag
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Hah! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:20 PM Flag
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lololol. The point is that people having to resort to having the govt buy their food shouldn't be HAVING dinner parties--and $40 is a LOT if you're so poor that you qualify for all these programs, by the way. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:37 PM Flag
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Especially since WIC exists, and this is from the WIC website, (to supply) supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:41 PM Flag
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Right. Food welfare programs (and they ARE welfare) don't exist to help poor people throw dinner parties. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 12:47 PM Flag
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Agreed. And this brings up a bigger concern, at least politically. If this blog has legs and something like Fox catches wind that liberal hipsters are using federally subsidised food programs for dinner parties, do you think they'll let it lie or tie in into a part of the greater issue against a national health care plan and the creation of a welfare/socialist state? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 01:07 PM Flag
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Ok, that's a bit much, and yet there's some kind of paranoid truth. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 05:54 PM Flag
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$40 is PLENTY for a dinner party, or at least the kind you should be having while on public assistance. Giant pan of mac and cheese, some cheap wine, maybe a salad and some cookies or rice pudding shouldn't break the bank. Point is, there are a ton of blogs by women who are already living MORE beautifully and economizing more without making it sound like a huge accompishment that they froze some extra meat sauce. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:39 PM Flag
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$40 spent on a dinner party when all your food is being bought by the taxpayer is $40 too much. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:24 PM Flag
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oy--I was responding to the poster who said that $40 isn't enough for a dinner party. Read then type... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:28 PM Flag
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I did read it. And I think the idea of someone eating govt cheese entertaining guests is ridiculous. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:30 PM Flag
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wait a minute--now you're saying that anyone on gov't assistance can't have friends over for a meal? I guess that's where we diverge. You think they have to sit at home in the dark eating their wellie cheese? I have no problem with some modest entertaining--just think that the idea that you have to spend $40 for a "dinner party" is ridic. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:29 AM Flag
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Unless you're making Kraft dinner, that pot of mac and cheese, salad, cookies or pudding and wine will cost at least $40. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:34 AM Flag
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Sorry, but you're just wrong. a block of cheddar, pasta, milk, and butter plus some breadcrumbs for the top does NOT cost more per person than Kraft dinner. I'm not talking Whole Foods here--just basic, but it doesn't have to be crap and no, it DOESN'T have to cost that much. And frankly, whenever I have friends for dinner (and I am NOT OP, btw, just a single mom who likes to entertain) people BRING wine, or dessert or salted almonds or something. You rarely end up providing everything and you always end up with extra wine and great leftovers. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:41 AM Flag
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What the hell kind of cheese would you be using for this that it wouldn't cost more than KD? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:00 AM Flag
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oh for the love of God, will you MOVE ON?? I have no idea how much KD costs frannkly because I don't buy it but you still have to add butter, milk, etc. right? And it doesn't actually make more than 3-4 servings in a box. Go look up a standard recipe for baked mac and cheese, then go to the supermarket and buy a big honking block of cheap Canadian cheddar, make some &$%# mac and cheese and then get back to me with a per-ounce cost. Point being I'd rather have noodles with butter than Kraft orange crap, not to mention that if I started serving that at dinner parties, people would stop coming and bringing me nice bottles of wine and homemade cookies. It's a win-win. Get it now?. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:10 AM Flag
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I should move on? That big "honking block" of Cdn cheddar will be at least $9. Not only that, but OP hold dinners for TEN people. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:15 AM Flag
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I think this board is being way to critical of peas and milk blogger with 3dc. What is wrong with taking the government handout in times when you need it. That's what unemployment is for. I suspect this family is like us, professional couple who is living off savings as a stop gap measure to get to that next job. Nothing wrong with that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 02:10 PM Flag
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Hmmmm.... but they aren't just "living off savings". They are taking unemployment AND food stamps. I also can't quite stomach the keeping the nanny part. If they are both unemployed, they can easily get 10-15 hours away from kids to work on professional endeavors. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:11 PM Flag
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ITA! My Mom had 5 kids and a part time job and no nanny...it must be a hipster thing...all the hip people i know never even call themselves hipsters... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:22 PM Flag
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I am so not a hipster, but I think that was very 8 years ago [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:27 PM Flag
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"Hipsters" aren't even cool anymore...too consumption driven a lifestyle. The latest thing is to be "indie" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:30 PM Flag
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ooh...good to know. What are the characteristics, just so I know if I know any [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:31 PM Flag
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Y'know handmade EVERYTHING. Green green green, drives a prius outside the city. listens to obscure french polka experimental fusion bands, shall I go on? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:45 PM Flag
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Pink Martini? :) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:38 AM Flag
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So was blogging about your life as though it's fascinating. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 03:35 PM Flag
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The problem? They should be subsisting when on govt handouts--not worrying about fancy coffee and cases of wine and entertaining (by the way, what kind of losers must their friends and relatives be? OP obviously has no issue sharing that she's a foodstamp and wic recipient, yet people will come over for dinner without insisting on paying the tab for the Chinese food or the roast or whatever. Weird) and e-bay Armani purchases. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 05:04 PM Flag
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Absolutely nothing wrong with that taking assistance, but she is taking assistance in one hand and buying bullcrap with another. When anyone dares to point this out to her, she insists it's about quality and sustainability, as if being on food stamps and wearing Armani are the only two things one can do. I make $300k and don't own Armani and have a $12 bottle of wine in the house. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 06:27 PM Flag
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I would cut her some slack about the Armani. She bought it on e-bay for God sakes, and probably did or will use it for interviews. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:23 AM Flag
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It's fugly. Can get a much better jacket for same or less. But she won't do that. Because then it won't be a NAME BRAND. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:35 AM Flag
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Unemployment insurance is not the same as a "govt'handout". The gov't handout is the food stamps. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:51 AM Flag
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I prefer this lady's blog: http://www.fixmeasnack.com/ At least she pays her own food. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 06:54 PM Flag
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lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:02 PM Flag
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I hate the OP mostly because the name of the blog is making me hungry! I want a samosa--with potatoes and peas! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 06:57 PM Flag
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I think it is hilarious that she posts she got free office space in exchange for designing web sites that she learned to do from her free classes. I highly doubt she can produce web sites that are great from a couple of free classes, and I suspect a lot of her material is total bullshit. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 07:34 PM Flag
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LOL! I know. Maybe she wants to be a Real Housewife of NYC or something;) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:25 PM Flag
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awful. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 08:04 PM Flag
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It's too smug to be likable. There are plenty of us who are living frugally yet are unwilling to compromise style, design, food, ect. We lived on $60K for a family of 4 (we were both laid off) - no public assistance - and I contribute to a successful blog on matters of children's clothing style and healthy food on a budget. Your blog is lacking new & interesting features. BTW, vaseline works better than Khiels & Burt's Bees AND it's only 97 cents for a tub that'll last a year. Also, the hipster thing is dead. It has taken over the masses and lacks authenticity. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:00 PM Flag
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You are so right. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:28 PM Flag
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Oh! What's your blog? Sounds very interesting(although I don't think this is what OP had in mind when she put up the link to hers...lol. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:39 PM Flag
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Sorry why do people need to consult with you about kids' style? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 04:30 AM Flag
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Here is the real problem, and forgive me for being redundant, but this is truly poorly written and not particularly compelling. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.10.10, 09:51 PM Flag
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I fully agree with what you are doing. I am a highly paid professional who only worked PT (3 dc). We have a nice house in an affluent burb. Then dh got laid off. I increased from PT to FT, but still did not meet dh's high income. We had to make cutbacks, live off savings. Did we accept his unemployment? yes. Did we accept health insurance cobra subsidy? Yes. Did we accept free training for him? yes. We paid our share of taxes over the years and will continue to do so. Why can't we collect back in our time of need, and who is to determine what need is? It is all relative. Is it OK for a poor person to use food stamps to buy twinkies and gum, but not blueberries because they are cheaper? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:56 AM Flag
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Maybe there is a list of food and products that are considered acceptable to purchase with food stamps. Apples are OK, grapes are not. Nothing organic. No fresh bread, only white wonder bread and cracker barrel cheese, no fresh cheeses. Only Mrs. Paul's fish sticks, no actual fresh fish from the seafood counter. See how ridiculous this is? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 03:00 AM Flag
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...(poster above). To clarify: if we had not accepted these feebies, we would have drained our savings at a much faster rate than we already have. Fixed costs cannot be changed and to change them is actually more costly (i.e. sell a house at a huge loss in a bad market). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 03:03 AM Flag
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I looked at your blog. You have great style. I fortunately have a job, and my DH does too. Interestingly, our "lifestyle" is almost identical except we are employed. We rarely eat out, we go for a lot of walks all the time, we buy quality stuff sparingly, I too believe that eating well pays off in the long run, buy the goddamn blueberries, what is 3 bucks anyway? They are really good for your kids. We love style, though I think I am definately too square to be hip. There is a strong, naive puritan streak here in the US and the east coast in particular. Somehow only the really monied are allowed to live well. As to having a good time with whatever you have, somehow this is not allowed. It is really narrow-minded. I am not from the US originally and I have to say that the art of living well is not an understood concept here (doubt I really get it, I am not French). Rock on! There is nothing wrong with making the best of what you have and looking good doing it. To all those lovelies making noise about the govt money - focus your ire on the real cheats, the big banks and corporations, not a lousy 400 $ a month... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 04:29 AM Flag
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ITA. I have family in Europe and they live in an area adjacent to where there also happen to be a lot of farmers and people who are quite poor...I have to say, they eat very well, have wine w/dinner regularly etc. Fruit, vegetables, company of friends etc - is not a luxury, it is a way of life - they might not have money for vacation or fine chocolate but fruit is seen as a necessity of life. Its a very strange American thing...but people will buy syrupy peaches for $2.oo but will not walk to the produce section to buy fresh bananas that sell for 99cents/lb or on sale if over ripe for $49cents/lb.They will buy Campells Soup for $1.00 when they could buy a can of wild Salmon for $1.99 on sale which is healthier and can be stretched for several meals. Why? Because people are not educated to how to live well - how to eat healthy - the principals of a "good life"...its sad. I think a blog like this has a good kernel of an idea...but it misses the point in a way..it is trying to sell the idea of the substance of style - vs- the style of substance [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 04:59 AM Flag
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Are they on food stamps (or European equivalent)? Do they collect money from the government to subsidize their lifestyle? I can't imagine anyone would have criticism if they were just poor and scraping by on thier own, but it is the fact that they take money for the government and think it is more important to be stylish that pay for your own damn FOOD! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:33 AM Flag
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LOL-and THESE people are the very same folks that put down poor people for being fat. They always say, "They should buy healthy foods instead of cheap junk". Then a financially low income person DOES just that and you put them down for it!All of you are angry at this woman for choosing to feed her family well, for choosing to use the resources that she has to dress her family well EVEN though the clothing is used! Should she wear rags? Should she feed her family crap? I think the problem is that she is doing better than some of you with 3x her income and how dare she, since she's on welfare and supposedly the worse kind of person in many of your eyes. Sad. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:49 AM Flag
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I imagine as soon as they can the OP family will get off public assistance and live well on whatever they have. Most though not all of course do, who wants to be on the dole forever? It is meant as stop gap assistance. I don't come from this country and the gov't in my country subsidized my university. My family was very poor so they did not pay into the system what I got out of it. I wouldn't be in a good area with good schools if I did not get a debt free education...subsidized mostly by the wealthier who paid more in taxes. I am grateful for the help, I don't see it as milking the system. I see it as giving me a needed leg up since I was broke. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:51 AM Flag
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Ok, then answer this: why does she need a 20 hr a week nanny when both her and her husband are unemployed? Can they not split childcare 50/50 and each get 4 hrs a day to do job hunting/interviews? Or if something comes up, pay for a babysitter for a couple extra hours? It's 250-300/wk for a 20 hr a week nanny unless she has a totally underpaid illegal one. One can buy a LOT of food for that! $1000 a month would add significantly to her Armani/wine budget and the food stamps can go to the people who really need it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 08:20 AM Flag
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np itttttta. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:39 AM Flag
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Have you tried to find work in a mere 4 hours per day? It takes more than that these days. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:54 AM Flag
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So? BOTH she and her husband are unemployed. And it doesn't sound like she devotes all that nanny time to searching for a job, anyway. They should be switching off. People making $1600 a month can NOT afford a sitter for 20 hours a week. Even if they're only paying her $10 an hour, that's half their income. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:04 AM Flag
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The blog should be called "keeping up appearances, while mootching off the joneses" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:04 AM Flag
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That's good. I also think someone's idea below, JoiedeWIC, would work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:25 AM Flag
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Please outline your job search activities that takes more than 4 hours a day. I can see needing more than 4 hrs a day of face time if you have an interview everyday (in which case you'd likely be highly desired), but I am perplexed at what job searcher could not be getting everything done in 4 hours of WORKDAY. Assuming you can obviously continue alternating when after work hours between hubby and you or after kids go to bed. Please enlighten me. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:06 AM Flag
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No, it doesn't. Do you think, in this economy, that jobs are being added every second? Who the hell looks for a job for four hours a day, every day? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:56 AM Flag
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Europe has a socialized program and is by nature one big food stamp :) The reason that socialism actually works in many ways is that people are taken care of - elderly can live well, get health care, buy a bottle of wine with dinner with no ridicule LOL. Listen, she is not using food stamps to buy crack for her husband or to give her kid TANG. I didn't realize that food stamps required a ghetto asthetic..sorry = missed the memo. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:22 AM Flag
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OR from above...same here, we have family in Europe. The "oldsters" grew up postwar with very little. Even those who subsequently became more materially comfortable seem to live very well on very little. Their homes are modest yet attractive. They drink wine with dinner. They lavish time attention and money on guests. They dress well. Occasionally they vacation. They are anything but rich. Notably their cars are older, usually they have just one. They cook their own food. They do their own home repairs when they can. Your point above responder about missing the point is correct -- too much lifestyle here focuses on what you buy, not what you do. I live in an affluent area, for the schools, that takes money. But what we do when not working is pretty cheap money wise. Pack a picnic, look up some friends, crack open a bottle of 10 buck one, I spent maybe 20 bucks this weekend but all I did was have a good time with family. But those relatives in Europe have it going on - they actually know what poor and no nothing means. It gives them a joie de vive with the small stuff, like a nice walk, good meal, chatting with some friends and family. I have never heard them lament the fact they don't have a nanny, country house or latest handbag. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:46 AM Flag
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Live well however you want, but when you're taking public assistance and using the money to live well... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:34 AM Flag
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arrgh!! Not to beat a dead horse but THIS is what's pissing me off--those are NOT her own photos!! I don't see ANY visible "style" on this blog except what she's lifted from another blogger. I know 13yos with zippier-looking blogs than this--a couple of them, actually. Take your own damn photos, SHOW us how fab and creative and styish your life is. Don't just show us (barely credited) someone else's fashion snaps and then tell me to freeze spahetti sauce. Jesus H. Christ... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:43 AM Flag
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ita, thank you! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:08 PM Flag
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You are insufferable! Awful writing, awful content. You sound like you would not be very likable in person. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 05:22 AM Flag
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Most of the UBers have chosen to reveal the absolute disdain that they have for poor people. They can only respect them when they are the "noble poor"-working to their last breath in nothing but well cared for rags. Give me a break! This woman is making sure that her children can still compete with yours and THATS why you're angry.You want people to wear poverty like a stain-- we all know that it is environment & lifestyle choices that predict altitude & aptitude. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 06:58 AM Flag
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My God, that box of wine is totally going to get her DCs into Ivy. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:01 AM Flag
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Nice bit of sarcasm. Anyway, no it specifically won't but the overall atmosphere that the box of wine goes along with will: the dinner parties where the children have an opportunity to hear adults talk about important events and overall relate to one another, the magazines that OP subscribes too which will live on the coffee table becoming a part of the landscape. Most of one's later success comes from your lifestyle-THAT is why minority kids often don't do well on standardized tests. Its not a lack of ability, but instead a difference in lifestyles. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:11 AM Flag
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The children who get Ivy-for the most part their parents are holding dinner parties with wine, they're exposed to a QUALITY of life. That in the final analysis ends up being the true difference between the poor and the wealthy but it has nothing to do with actual finances. It is all about how you choose to live your life-even when you are at your worse. Some of you are making several times her income but it never dawned on you to do anything but live "poor" because you weren't making as much as your wealthier neighbor. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:14 AM Flag
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I went to an Ivy from a MC family, so IDA. But more to the point: we're not talking about children who grew up in households where dinner parties are held for intellectual discussions. We're talking about someone who is on public assistance and insists on living the life style she previously lived. $100 haircut? Shopping for a USED clothing item just because it says "Armani" on the label? What does that say? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:35 AM Flag
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i posted earlier...my grandma at 78 years of age would buy stuff from thrift shops, and yes was on food stamps. she was always so proud when she found a scarf that said "made in france" or found shoes "made in italy"..in those thrift shops. for her they said quality. that $3 silk french scarf would have afforded her 2 packs of gum in walmart but she wanted quality and she would take it used b/c that is all she could afford. she would buy 1 bottle of perfume every year and spend maybe $60 - and use it sparingly all year...but each time she wore it she felt like a beautiful lady and it made her day better. i am just not sure how that is wrong. how is buying a brand that promises more quality bad, how is feeling good bad if you are spending the same exact amt? i just don't get it. the criticim seem sooo shallow and porly thought through. if she said she bought a polyester jacket in chinatown for only $30 but was so proud..i think you would not be as upset..but why? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:36 AM Flag
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"The children who get Ivy-for the most part their parents are holding dinner parties with wine" - DUMBEST statement uttered on UB today. I have gone to two Ivies and my parents didn't have dinner parties. Or drink wine. And I imagine LOTS of people don't fall into your ridiculous myopic generalization... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:02 AM Flag
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If it is such a DUMB statement why do you all practically poop yourselves in the effort you make toward getting little boopsy into the perfect private school??? It's the culture even more than the academics and you all damn well know it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:59 AM Flag
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no - but a happy mom, will help get her to an IVY. thank god this woman has figured out some way to stay happy and joyous and celebrate her life in these tough times. you all would be happier if she lived on Macdonalds, did crack and slit her wrists in misery then be joyous and do what she can to still find happiness with limited means. good for her for stretching out her money, for "keeping it together" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:26 AM Flag
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LOL-I know that's not supposed to be funny, but its so melodramatically humorous:"lived on McDonalds, did crack, and slit her wrists in misery..." That's great.LOL. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:29 AM Flag
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No, I think the problem that many here have with OP is that she's using WIC, which is meant for women and young children who are at severe nutritional risk and is throwing dinner parties. She's abusing that system for her lifestyle. And let's be honest, if she was a member of the uneducated poor or LMC, she'd be completely blasted for buying cases of wine or any booze with 3 DCs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:20 AM Flag
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EXACTLY. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:38 AM Flag
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Yes, FEED your damn children, woman! And use your nanny money for your damn kids FOOD, not your wine. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 08:23 AM Flag
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Yes, I think if she'd get herself off of food stamps (which is totally possible by giving up the nanny and/or wine and shopping)then she'd actually have a blog. If you are on food stamps you can't write a blog about nannies and dinner parties and have anyone like you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 08:28 AM Flag
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Actually one can make up 40k for a family of four and be qualified to recieve WIC benefits. That may explain why almost 50% of the infants born in the USA are recieving WIC vouchers. I have been on the program before and my DH worked a fulltime job that paid around 38k. Now KIM, 40k is not alot in NY, but its MC for the rest of the US. The real point of WIC seems to be to ensure that children 0-5 in the masses recieve proper nutrition, period-so that we don't go back to the time when Rickets and Pellagra were commonplace illnesses among the LC/working class/MC. Its a kind of American social engineering via nutrition. The income ceiling wouldn't be so high if it was only meant for the absolutely most destitute. It doesn't have the same req. as food stamps. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:37 AM Flag
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I think this is a very good point. What else should she do? Give up because she is having a hard time making money? I don't get the hipster thing and I really don't get why anyone would want to be an artist in NYC with 3 kids, but I am pretty conservative. However, I applaud OP for making the most of a difficult situation. If she shut down the dinner parties and such, what good ultimately would that do? Sounds like she is using public assistance for a short time and then probably the family will make a little more cash and go on living a rather less than lavish lifestyle. What is wrong with that? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:28 AM Flag
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Yes, I totally applaud her for accepting welfare and keeping her NANNY. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:31 AM Flag
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np ditto. And her DINNER PARTIES--where food paid for with MY money is served. I demand an invitation to dinner! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:47 AM Flag
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But it is well nigh impossible to do/find work with 3 young DCs...you have to make calls etc. during day hours. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:53 AM Flag
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with two parents unemployed surely they can take shifts? Frankly with three kids and two "creatives" in the family, they should be thinking about moving out of NYC to some some hip yet lower-cost area--Philly, Providence, Portland... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:05 AM Flag
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Her husband doesn't work full time, so how about some co-parenting. Best part? It's free! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:06 AM Flag
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Her husband doesn't have a job, either. Between the two of them, they should be able to sort this out. Really. That amount of childcare for a family so broke they've gone cap in hand to get food stamps and WIC is totally outrageous. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:09 AM Flag
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Of course it's possible, people do it every single freakin day. How about all the friends she is throwing dinner parties for? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:53 AM Flag
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If SHE, in her straitened situation, is buying their food, can you imagine what losers they are?! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:36 AM Flag
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I find OP shockingly out of touch with reality in terms of her money saving tips and the fact that she sees a day laborer in a shirt he ironed himself as the same thing as her buying fancy clothing. Not to mention, some sort of classist BS about the novelty of a day laborer in an ironed shirt. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:39 AM Flag
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I think you missed the point of the post: the day laborer's ironed shirt was well made & quality. His wife and children wore quality clothing. There home was nice and well furnished. Many people would say that if he could afford to have anything but the barest form of existence then he should stay in his own country because by crossing the border illegally he was committing a crime-a crime which many would overlook if his family were starving-but the nerve of him to be an illegal day laborer and eke out some type of quality of life for himself and family.---You don't get it although he may be working, he was illegally working and in a sense living on the welfare of foriegn aid provided via illegal employment. Come on now, most of took college courses where we had to deal with metaphors and the like. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:45 AM Flag
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Now you're making stuff up. Nowhere in her post did she say the day laborer's shirt was well made, simply that he ironed it. If the day laborer's shirt was from Brooks Brothers, then yes, he should be slammed as well. How about her implication that the nerve of a day laborer to wear ironed clothing! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:49 AM Flag
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Sorry, I'm fairly "poor" these years. I haven't always been broke, but I've always been more informed and less wasteful than the average bear. While I've got friends of ALL financial circumstances(really),the ability to 'live well' has less to do with money and more to do with other energies-regardless of financial advantages than OP has displayed on her blog. Where is the list of everyday retail spots for necessities(whatever they may be). NY is riddled with options and many of us are too busy living our lives and assimilating these skills as second nature.'How to Continue A Wasteful Lifestyle While using EBT' would be a more appropriate name for the blog.I've gotten Alexander McQueen,Westwood,YSL and Blahniks for under $30 for decades.How about some outlined grocery lists of luxury and less so foodstuffs? Get your ass on a bus/train and do the legwork,OP. I found a 99 cents store in Upper Manhattan with NIB Le Creuset cookware for $9.99-just 2 months ago.I called every food prepper I know. Sold out in 2 days. Pay it forward,Lady.A tacky e-bay link doesn't do suat. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 11:43 AM Flag
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keep writing, you're onto something. it's provocative, or else you wouldn't get such crazy comments here. I think I'm done with UB again. Whenever something seems egregious I log off for a few months/years. It just struck me-- yes, you asked for thoughts. But isn't it the equivalent of you asking a friend to forward the blog to friends and ask for thoughts? Nobody, in that scenario, would be this mean. They'd offer the same criticisms-- you're taking assistance and spending it on seemingly frivolous things-- but they'd never say it this way, they only say it with such viciousness because you don't know their names. Weird. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:05 AM Flag
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np-you are a little oversensitive--no? And btw I defended OP and her blog. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:19 AM Flag
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Weird that you think friends wouldn't be very honest-good or bad.OP didn't ask 'friends', she cast for opinions on a population she's hoping to garner-which will get her hits-which would mean ad $$.This is what test marketing is all about. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:24 AM Flag
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You think it's "weird" that UB response are different than responses IRL? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 07:32 AM Flag
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None of my friends would go on the dole and BRAG about how they still live the good life, so you're right; I'd never offer criticisms like this irl. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:12 AM Flag
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I am amazed how many people are faulting her for buying fresh fruit. Blueberries ARE in season, in South America. And for what it's worth, the prices at my local supermarket are the same as the US blueberries when in season. All this backlash about her buying fresh fruit makes me think UB is full of people who applauded Reagan's decision to classify ketchup as a vegetable serving for the school lunch program. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 08:47 AM Flag
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ITA. Fresh fruit/veges are what Food Stamps SHOULD be used to buy. Not the cheap, overprocessed crap. I was thrilled when farmer's markets started being able to accept food stamps. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 08:58 AM Flag
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Well, I can't wait until she discover the Food Bank uptown and starts blogging about how much more EBT she can save by 'shopping' there-for free. Wait until the truly sensible, struggling, WORKING poor get a whiff of her BS. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:08 AM Flag
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and NetFlix monthly is NOT as important as 3 more bags of berries(kids in the home, no?)or a book or two.The blog sux; she's not very savvy;the blog is dull as a butter knife and fwiw-EXACTLY represents what a clueless life she's lived.WTF is an "ex-fashionista"? and the brown,square buckled, ginchy belt...To look at the bad styling as many times as you would just to POST that pic and STILL post it...even my partner laughed. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:13 AM Flag
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and yes, I can be mean as an Ave D rat when my ire is rankled by just this blogger's sort of drivel. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:17 AM Flag
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But Indie movies are soooooo impt. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:13 PM Flag
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But remember, the working stiffs that wear an ironed shirt and look half way presentable are TRUE EXCEPTIONS [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:20 AM Flag
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I don't see many people against her for the blueberries, but many many against for the nanny, $100 haircut, case of wine, dinner parties, and name brand clothing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:12 AM Flag
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As a tax payer I would like to say - thank you for using my money to make healthy food choice to take care of your child (and our future generation), for finding ways to keep yourself happy and balanced while still looking for work and finding way to cultivate your Joie de Vivre in times that are tough. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:31 AM Flag
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ITA with this and I am certain I probably pay more taxes than the people whining about OP's blog. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:35 AM Flag
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Ok, OP. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:39 AM Flag
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i posted and i am not OP [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:48 AM Flag
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good giggle-thanks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:51 AM Flag
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Maybe she can give you her personal address so you can support her joie de vivre and the rest of us can support those who actually need to pay for food with money they don't have. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:08 AM Flag
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maybe she should change the name of the blog to Joie de WIC? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:12 AM Flag
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np Let's call her Joie de WIC Mom! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:18 AM Flag
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Yes! I can't wait 'til she puts a Donate Now button up on her blog. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:15 AM Flag
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I love how OP keeps posting things in support of herself, choosing to focus on blueberries. Who complained about the blueberries? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:52 AM Flag
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Someone said they weren't a great deal. That was it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:51 PM Flag
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I'm not OP and I support her right to blueberries-its called healthy food and she has just as much of a right to it as any wealthy person...or have we suddenly become a third world nation? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:04 PM Flag
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That is what I am saying. NO one complained about hte blueberries, yet she keeps bring it up over and over again to illustrate how unfair we're being. The above poster is right, BTW, that is not a deal. Frozen blueberries, which are more "fresh" now than one-of-season ones at TJs is the same price. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:32 PM Flag
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My dh and I make a lot of money right now [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:05 AM Flag
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No one cares about you. Go away. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:10 AM Flag
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^^^oops, sorry. to continue...we make about $750K. However, there was a period of time around 2001 when we were both unemployed and lived off the $405/week x2. During that time, I NEVER bought one new item of clothing. I don't understand how OP says she needs the Armani jacket (which is ugly and looks like something I had in the 80s) to interview in. If she worked and had such great fashion sense, etc. she must have something in her closet to wear on an interview. (And I'm guessing it would look a heck of a lot better than that jacket). We also laid off our nanny when we got laid off and drastically cut back other expenses. (If there are two of you not working, you need to take turns watching the kids while the other does job search stuff) There are so many annoying things about this blog from OP calling herself a "hipster", to the name, to the poor writing, to the sheer cluelessness, but the thing I think that is most offensive is that she is on food stamps. Unemployment insurance is not welfare. Everyone who works pays into it and there is nothing wrong with taking it or COBRA when unemployed as you are entitled to it. Taking Food Stamps is another matter all together as this is a program for the very poor, not just the recently "poor hipsters" who think its trendy to be thrifty. People who literally "can't put food on the table". People who would never think of using their food stamp money to host a party, buy cases of wine, clothing when they have a closet full, magazine subscriptions or employ nannies. OP should be ashamed of herself. She is using and abusing the system. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:19 AM Flag
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^^the rest of my post was cut off. To continue, I have no problem with taking unemployment and cobra. Every working person is entitled to these programs by paying into them throughout your working life. Taking Food Stamps, however, is a very different animal. The food stamp program was designed for people who literally "can't put food on the table". These people would never think of spending what little money they have on magazine subscriptions, nannies, cases of wine, entertaining, designer clothes, cheap or not, etc. Besides the bad spelling, bad writing, smug attitude, calling oneself a "hipster" and having a stupid blog name, the thing that is most offensive about this blog is that OP is insulting the poor people who really do NEED to be on food stamps not to mention the rest of us taxpayers supporting her "lifestyle". She should be reported to WIC. Sickening [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:27 AM Flag
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np I totally, totally agree. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:47 AM Flag
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I completely agree. No one is faulting her fresh fruit/veg choices for her family, but her government subsidised lifestyle is offensive and unethical. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:58 PM Flag
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This is why our country is in the state it is: $100 haircuts, cases of wine, Armani- these are considered entitlements. Even homes were once something you saved and saved for and didn't just get on a flaky adjustable rate mortgage and a smile, and now everyone thinks they are entitled to jjust about everything. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:14 AM Flag
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ITA. I love the stuff about getting designer clothes on eBay. I don't care if they are $1. You DON'T BUY CLOTHES when you don't have money. Also, $200/year for haircuts is more than I spend by far and DH and I are both employed. If this person is 21 or older, they already own clothes. Wear them. Also, did you see her grocery bill?!?! Oy, this person is a mess. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:53 AM Flag
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I can't believe how many mean and downright cruel responses there are to this. She's clearly not someone who's trying to "milk" the system or wants to stay on the dole forever. She's just trying to soldier on with some dignity. Who the *$&% is everyone to be so judgemental. I hope none of you suffers the difficulty of having 2 parents out of work at the same time while trying to raise 3 kids in this city! Believe me, it's eye-opening to read how stingy, judgmental and just plain awful the responders are. Even if you don't like her blog, there's no need to make such personal attacks and assumptions about her character, work ethic or ability to budget. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:34 AM Flag
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Um, hello??? She put her life out there for social commentary. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:38 AM Flag
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np Ditto. Oh, and paying a NANNY for 20 hours a week while on foodstamps and WIC and whatever other programs is outrageous given neither parent has a job. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:44 AM Flag
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The vitriol in the responses say more about the responders than the OP. Read how nasty people have gotten. Is she supposed to be walking around in tattered rags and feeding her children a warmed up pot of thin gruel? How about entertainment. Must it all be 100% free? I really hope you don't have happen to your family what she's had happen to hers. I really saw it as an attempt to make lemonade from lemons. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:55 AM Flag
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Lol-"warmed up pot of thin gruel", you people are hi-la-rious! I love it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:57 AM Flag
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I think she's been reading Dickens [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:36 AM Flag
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OK, gruel no, but frankly buying boxed cereal on this kind of budget is slightly insane. There's a reason why peasants eat porridge and not Apple Jacks. Get a big sack of oatmeal and have that for breakfast--cheaper, more filling,etc. and it's delicious! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 10:54 AM Flag
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I love, love, love, how all the supporters say that the detractors are knocking OP for buying blueberries and forcing her DCs to wear rags. Do you have any idea how many degrees is between rags and Armani? $100 haircuts? A CASE of wine? A NANNY? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:58 AM Flag
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She made a point of noting that she paid Old Navy prices for Armani. Why does this make you so angry? The point I was making is that anything that was perceived to be a luxury made so many anonymous posters want to CRUCIFY this woman. So what if she's trying to blog to get a book deal. She needs a job! Her only true "sin" was being brutally honest about where her money goes. Again, I hope you never have to walk in her shoes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:06 AM Flag
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Actually, I think the people who are most against her HAVE walked in her shoes. I was unemployed during the dot com bust for almost a year. I spent frugally and most definitely did not get a haircut that year. $100 haircut and nanny are not "perceived" anything, they are in fact luxuries. I only commented on the Armani because your solution to not wearing Armani was wearing rags. How about Gap? ON? Eddie Bauer - the last of the three has an unlimited return policy if you're so worried about "sustainability." [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:18 AM Flag
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My solution was not that she wear Armani or rags, it was that so many posters freaked out that she's on WIC and bought an Armani jacket...which was the price of Old Navy. She bought a luxury at a bargain basement price. And I disagree that most people on this board against her have 3 kids and 2 unemployed parents. People have an idea about how "poor" people should live and it should be hard and awful. Maybe she should not spend $200 per year on haircuts, but I don't want to scrutinize every damn purchase someone on WIC makes. Her situation sucks. And I'm sure she'd like not to be on WIC and back making HHI of $200k+. I can understand how some people can disagree with some of her personal decisions but the level of vitriol was astounding and downright nasty. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:29 AM Flag
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The point isnt' what she spent on the jacket, the point is that she bought it at all. For those of us who have really been unemployed, you don't buy ANYTHING new to wear. Surely this woman has a jacket in her closet that would suffice to wear on an interview?! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:35 AM Flag
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You don't know this! Maybe she does and maybe she doesn't. If she does, then she should re-prioritize. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:44 AM Flag
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she describes herself as an "ex fashionista" She worked before becoming unemployed and had a HHI of over $200K per year. OF COURSE she has something in her closet she can wear. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:56 AM Flag
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I concede this point! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:57 AM Flag
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I posted above and DID walk in her shoes. Both DH and I were unemployed at the same time about 8 years ago -- for almost a year. #1 - Neither of us bought ONE ITEM of clothing for ourselves during that time. I wore my old work clothes on interviews. #2 - we immediately cancelled all frivolous expenses -- Cable bills, magazine subscriptions, entertaining, movies, beauty salon #3 - we got rid of our nanny and took turns with childcare while the other looked for a job #4- WE DIDN'T GO ON FOOD STAMPS AND MILK THE SYSTEM [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:19 AM Flag
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Even if she cancels the magazines, Netflix, and both haircuts, she's up about $400 for a family of 5. (I don't know what she's paying the nanny, so I can't weigh in on that.) In any case, that $400 won't make a damn bit of difference. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:34 AM Flag
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wow, you really are stupid huh? $405 a week is what she gets on unemployment. Cancelling all those things equals another week's pay! and that doesn't add up? What the hell are you talking about! Clearly you have never been unemployed. When you are every PENNY counts. Tell that to most of the legit people onfood stamps [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:38 AM Flag
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I'm guessing you're an outlier on this board. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:39 AM Flag
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what do you mean? I see others posted that they have been unemployed [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:41 AM Flag
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I have been unemployed. But I did not work in a creative field and had ample savings to fall back on. Not every makes $$$$$. I did. And I didn't have 3 kids, either. Not stupid. Just not an uncompassionate wretch. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:47 AM Flag
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I work in a creative field, have been unemployed and that's how I know OP is full of shit [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:58 AM Flag
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I think the market is much, much worse than it was 8 years ago in creative!!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:52 PM Flag
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ITA. We have 120 HHI now with one laid off parent and I can't remember the last time I bought clothes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:01 PM Flag
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I completely agree. But I think it is hard to hear things like ' we have a nanny', when both don't work. But it has totally gotten out of hand. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 10:59 AM Flag
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Maybe it's the nanny thing, I don't know. But one poster wrote that these responders want her to wear the stain of poverty. It's true! I think it's great that she's trying to give her children a sense of normalcy in an awful, awful time. This will be a temporary situation for this family...not an entrenched, multi-generational way of life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:23 AM Flag
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No, we don't. You're obviously not reading. BTW, she obviously wants the day laborers to wear the "stain of poverty," what a hypocrite. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:28 AM Flag
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I barely see her mention her kids in the blog. It seems mostly about her - her beauty products, haircut, her Armani, her magazine subscriptions. I don't criticize her for wanting to feed her family healthy foods. I do criticize her spending on non-essential things, what many would call luxury items, while at the same time, getting food stamps.If she really had to watch every dollar, she wouldn't be spending the way she is. She would have hosted a pot-luck dinner party, not ordered $80 worth of chinese, she would have fired her nanny, she wouldn't have bought one piece of clothing, etc. There is more to this story. Not sure what but either her parents are helping, her housing is paid for, she makes money off the books and doesn't report it so she can continue to collect unemployment and food stamps -- who knows? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:31 AM Flag
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itttta [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:38 AM Flag
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Yes, that that is the flaw. It simply doesn't add up. Either she is a moron or there is something going on that we don't know, or both. I think she is feeling really poor (and is), figured out she could get food stamps, feels really ashamed of herself and is trying to do something to maybe have a new career (blogging). The problem is, she has more income than she is letting on (federal money - nanny - housing just doesn't add up) or savings (though she claims $5 in the bank). So something is fishy here. And she can't say she has other money because she is collecting food stamp money and probably didn't declare the other money in order to get food stamps. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:57 AM Flag
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Let's get this straight our country is in the state that it is in, not because of people on welfare but because of greedy bankers, big business, and predatory lenders. FI, There was a time when lenders would literally chase down potential victims, er, clients down. Then we won't even get into the issue with the banks AND THESE PEOPLE got the fattest welfare check of ALL time from the taxpayers...yet none of you are complaining about them! Go figure, for many of you it would be too close to home. In fact let's be honest: many of your husbands(and even you) recieved a bailout via the companies they/you worked for who recieved bailouts allowing them to keep your husbands/you on so that you could continue to pay for the high faluting private schools and summer homes in Nantucket....now that's the ultimate welfare queen! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:07 AM Flag
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Are you new here? Or just OP conveniently yet again stating only half truths? Wall Street has been crucified plenty. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:20 AM Flag
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Not nearly enough, IMHO. And not like this freak show of a response! Some of the meanest posts ever on UB...and that's saying something!!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:36 AM Flag
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ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTA. And fwiw I make a SHITLOAD of money, and pay a SHITLOAD of taxes. Refocus your anger, people! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:21 AM Flag
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Word. And yet, they're freaking out about a cheap Armani jacket. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:32 AM Flag
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Ahem. Let's not recreate history, which started before 2000. Janet Reno's office routinely threatened banks with prosecution if they did not have a certain percentage of loans to high risk candidates. Of course private industry had a hand in all this, that is apparent, but so did government. We have received no such bailout, my dh does not work for any industry that has and yet we are subsidizing her $100 haircuts. I can be indignant about that if I want to. And when we have faced hard times in the past, you bet I poured my money into food for the kids-the best I could get-no problem with that. But wine? Negative. That is a luxury when funds are short and we were not on assistance. Wine on unemployment. My goodness. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:18 PM Flag
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I didn't know you could use WIC for haircuts. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:26 PM Flag
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Is that a picture of you and your dh and baby? Cute family. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:11 AM Flag
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Uh, no, it's not. She took it from another blog. All she does is take. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:22 AM Flag
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I want to read the blog attached to this picture. This family looks like an interesting family. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:24 AM Flag
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google The Sartorialist. One of the best fashion blogs out there. And Garance D'Ore too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:49 AM Flag
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Um, instead of wasting your time shlepping all over town for cheap groceries, why don't you oh I don't know, get rid of your nanny instead? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:29 AM Flag
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ITA and buy a big bag of rice and a big bag of beans. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:33 AM Flag
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So it looks like about 10% positive, 90% negative, and that's from a skewed sample of UB posters (for the most part, urban, affluent, well-educated, moderate-to-liberal). I shudder to think how the rest of the country would react. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:39 AM Flag
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Yes, and if the situation were reversed (posters had 2 unemployed parents and 3 kids to take care of) it would be 90% positive and 10%. Such is the bitchiness of those on UB. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:41 AM Flag
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Uh, no. I did go through a period supporting our family with 2 unemployed parents and I am totally against this disgusting poser. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 11:44 AM Flag
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I am OP. Does anyone have any simple questions they would like to ask me? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:48 PM Flag
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How's that book deal going? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:53 PM Flag
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There is no book deal. I am not writing for a book deal. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:55 PM Flag
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Shouldn't you be looking for a job right now rather than posting on UB? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:55 PM Flag
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My daughter is asleep. I am on house duty. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:56 PM Flag
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Where's the NANNY? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:58 PM Flag
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jinx [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:59 PM Flag
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the nanny left. she came at 11 and left at 3. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:59 PM Flag
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And what's your nanny doing? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:58 PM Flag
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Where are the other two kids? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:09 PM Flag
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will you ever post on UB again? :) good news is..there is no such a thing as bad press and I am sure that the number of times your blog has been mentioned in this thread will help with search engines LOL - and you can thank all the women who criticized your for their help. Yet - i do think if you put the words Recession, Style, Mom in your heading you will do better...the title will not serve you well. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:58 PM Flag
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The title is dear to me. I do not wish to change it for easier access. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:01 PM Flag
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Joiedewic is MUCH better. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:02 PM Flag
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If you want to blog - you need to learn what it takes to actually have it read. Get a book on optimizing and how to market it online...otherwise...if your objective is really to reach people and inform them - then learn how to use this medium or it will simply be a waste of time, to entertain yourself. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:09 PM Flag
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What are your housing costs and how do you pay for it? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:06 PM Flag
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She's been asked this several times, yet hasn't answered. Hmmmmmm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:38 PM Flag
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I have. Please see far below re: nanny + housing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:42 PM Flag
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Why not use your own photos/artwork? You can see just from the response here that many people assumed that the photos were of you. Seems like the bare minimum for a blog. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:14 PM Flag
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Privacy is important here...sensitive issue. I credit all photos on my blog - that is the bare minimum. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:43 PM Flag
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Look--if it's that big a concern or you can't think of a creative way around it then you shouldn't be blogging period. PLENTY of moms blog and manage not to show themselves or their kids' faces etc. Lifting photos from another blog just isn't cool and they're clearly not credited enough or ID'd enough to keep people from thinking they're pictures of you and your family. And sheesh--you ID your kids' school--is that really necessary? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:10 PM Flag
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title too long but i enjoyed the reading...you write well..entertaining. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:54 PM Flag
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Oh, OP; you're shameless. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:57 PM Flag
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its just pissing you off that you could not get away with it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:58 PM Flag
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Nope. I'm not a sponger. Totally averse to making others pay my way. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:01 PM Flag
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I am sorry you feel that way. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:02 PM Flag
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Thank you. It is meant to be funny and light. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 12:58 PM Flag
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Yes. It's pretty funny to be making the taxpayer pay your way while you shop on e-bay and throw dinner parties. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:00 PM Flag
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Will you be asking me any more questions? I don't have a stomach for chatroom abuse. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:04 PM Flag
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Seems to me YOU brought this on yourself. I'm curious, though: Do you not see a problem with collecting WIC and foodstamps and throwing dinner parties for 10 or spending $80 on a Christmas dinner? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:07 PM Flag
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I did bring this on myself. And I am fascinated by how strongly people feel about food stamps. You ask, do I have a problem with throwing dinner parties for 10 people and spending $80 for Christmas...well, 5 were from my family, the other five were dear friends and family. Everyone brought booze + dessert. We drank 1 bottle each that night and had a great time. I know my children will remember that dinner - it was beautiful. We paid for it the following days after i.e. 3 pasta days, etc...but that's what good memories are made of: people, food, spirits, laughter, and life. I am not allowed to have this? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:12 PM Flag
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Look, you obviously started this blog to be controversial. So own it. Don't act as if we're picking on you on one dinner or one pint of blueberries, you know what people's issues are. Don't come on here, post, and then say "any questions," only to shirk back immediately. If you feel like starting a controverial fake blog, own it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:14 PM Flag
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So you want your children to remember a dinner wear 10 people drank a bottle of wine EACH? O-kay. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:55 PM Flag
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It's funny. the dinner party is the part I have the least problem with. It's the nanny and magazines that kill me. So they "splurged" one time on a Christmas dinner. I can see doing that if I were her. Must have been nice to feel a little normal for one night. I wouldn't be buying clothes, though. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 06:09 AM Flag
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there are plenty of people on public assistance that spend more extravagantly than those with a salary. it is not easy to get food stamps or wics, if one got it she obviously qualified for it at the time. you cannot lie about your assets since everyting is computerized. you who never applied do not have an idea about the scrutiny they put you though before giving you one red cent. and what do you want people on public assistance to do? stop inviting guests, stop eating, only eat mac&cheese 3/$1? do they have to stop living as well? maybe just slink away and shoot themselves because your magnanimous taxes pay for her food? you begrudge her because she is white, you would be ever so understanding and compassionate if she was not. you "entitled" guys are friggin amazing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:14 PM Flag
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Look, OP, the fault of this "I shouldn't have to live poor" has been pointed out to you several times. You can't just pick on one argument and shout it over and over. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:16 PM Flag
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What are the REAL issues? Is it that you think I am doing something illegal? Is it that you think I am taking advantage of the system? Is it because of the NANNY? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:19 PM Flag
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How about you read the post to see what the issues are? Oh right, you're trying to generate more traffic. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:23 PM Flag
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Ittttttttttttttta! If it's your precious tax dollars you're worried about, fight REAL pork, the $$$ wasted on war and bailing out bloated Wall Streeters who undertake moral hazard and still come out ahead. Get real! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:29 PM Flag
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Then why are you here? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:07 PM Flag
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To answer your questions: NANNY - Our nanny is our family. I love her. My kids love her. She relies on us for income. We rely on her for stability. I will not fire her because I am confidant I will find a job. And when I do, we will return to normalcy. Regardless, I would rather trek for miles to save money on groceries, or not buy clothes for an entire year, or not go out at all - but my nanny stays. She is like family. We don't treat family that way. They are not disposable. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:32 PM Flag
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HOUSING - We have a 2 bedroom apartment. 900 square feet. We pay some from my unemployment, and some from our savings. We chose not to move so that we could be in the school district our kids attend. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:36 PM Flag
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how did you get public assistance is you have savings substanital enough to pay housing costs and you employ household help? You are nauseating and I wish people, including me would stop responding to this post, so the traffic to your blog will dry up. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:43 PM Flag
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LOL! Ditto. She's a human carwreck and we're all rubbernecking. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:46 PM Flag
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Food stamps is not public assistance. Please google that. To qualify for food stamps, the government takes into account your income, housing expenses, and childcare. Think about it. You lose your job. You have rent to pay for 5 people. You have a little savings that will last you 3 months. You can either, pay rent for 3 months, move out, create instability for your children, add more expenses for moving, add pain and stress for your marriage and home. OR you can go and get help with state benefits that you QUALIFY for and ease the hardship for everyone involved while looking for decent work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:52 PM Flag
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Okay. That's all the questions for now. Daughter is awake. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:58 PM Flag
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Why would you put up that you have $5 in the bank if you have savings? Isn't that a bit misleading? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:43 PM Flag
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LOL. Your income is $1600 a month. If you pay her $10 an hour, you have $800 left--for everything (except your food; we pay for that), including rent. I don't see how that's possible. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:44 PM Flag
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But wait - I thought you did buy an expensive stitch of clothing. Oh wait I thought your nanny was to help you with your job search. Sorry, OP, should've spun a better take. Hey you know what IS disposable? Wine that is consumed and gone. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:52 PM Flag
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And Burt's Bees, and magazine subscriptions, and on and on and on. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:53 PM Flag
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Great. So you pay your nanny what you could have been spending on food because, hey, the rest of us can buy that. Good thinking. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:17 PM Flag
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LOL, whatever your politics are, she does not write well. Oops, I mean you. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:02 PM Flag
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ditto [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:04 PM Flag
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So you're home all day, you're a self-proclaimed hipster, yet you need to buy formula... why? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:10 PM Flag
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Please rephrase your question, I don't understand it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:14 PM Flag
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Whip out the boobie OP. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:23 PM Flag
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That wasn't me, - OR. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:27 PM Flag
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Hipsters don't breast feed. Didn't you read the manual? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 06:25 AM Flag
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Pathetic. I'm sure 234 parents are having fun with your antics. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:33 PM Flag
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Please Kill This Post. OP is posting over and over, including posing as ORs so that she can generate traffic to her blog. Stop posting here! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:45 PM Flag
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ITA. I love how all the "supportive" emails are written the exact same way. I'm begining to think all this is fake, anyway,too many things do not add up. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:49 PM Flag
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She's like Sybil. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:51 PM Flag
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i am NOT OP and have been following this on and off throughout day. i have posted several times in her defense and really find it, even by UB standards, creepy how this OP is getting hammered ..its so pathetic. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 08:21 PM Flag
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Once again, she put herself out there. It's not the same as if someone stumbled upon her blog, or what happened that awful time someone outed a poster who was suing a doctor for malpractice. She's basically a reality show contestant now. Not to mention, she has not done one iota of anything to make herself sympathetic. Where are these kids she is doing all this for? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 06:10 AM Flag
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I before e except after c. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 01:54 PM Flag
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Sorry if this is answered above, but I still don't understand 1. How op is paying rent on $1620/month or $3240/month if both get unemployment. 2. why you need any nanny services if you are both unemployed? trade off looking for work/working. 3. Why you haven't moved out of NYC to anyplace else you could actually afford? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:12 PM Flag
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$1605 is their gross--between them. She's obviously scamming in some other way. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:18 PM Flag
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But don't you see, she couldn't possibly let her nanny go--she's like family! The altruism here is just poetic. Kudos, OP, you're a money grubbing welfare saint. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 03:22 PM Flag
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Congrats to you for blogging about this. Incredibly smart and sure to get a book deal out of it. Whether or not people here like you, people outside of NY are sure to be intrigued. Good luck! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 02:18 PM Flag
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Please tell me what's smart about tips like 'freeze spaghetti sauce' and 'turn lights out in your apartment' and 'subscribe to magazines rather than buy them on the newsstand'? If she were posting something interesting/useful, hell I'd read it, but she's not. And let's also look at her math, she's obviously getting help from somewhere. Nothing adds up here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 03:25 PM Flag
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And to add, people outside of NYC are doing these small money saving tips without unemployment, food stamps or WIC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 03:35 PM Flag
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Subscribe to magazines KILLS me. What about visiting the library? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 05:03 PM Flag
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Not to mention, you'd stay way more current on the internet, no matter what industry you are in. Print is dying, haven't you heard? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 05:12 PM Flag
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Legally, when you barter, you must report what you receive as income. The bartered office space may make you ineligible for food stamps and other benefits. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:06 PM Flag
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np Excellent point. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.11.10, 09:30 PM Flag
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I'm sure there is more than the office that she won't be reporting. The rent still hasn't been explained. The claim that they have savings contradicts some of the other points she's made. There must be either money from their family or work on the side that likely won't be reported either. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 06:28 AM Flag
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I am confused. If you are on public assistance, how are you affording a nanny? We make $75K a year and can't afford a PT nanny. Who is paying for your apartment? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.12.10, 06:36 AM Flag
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i think everyone on this board is from the mid-west. i can't imagine anyone living in nyc not somewhat intrigued by blogger. what's the big deal about armani jacket and nanny? everyone in manhattan has a nanny. probably pissed off suburban moms who don't need nannies because of different lifestyles. i grew up with a housekeeper all my life. i have a maid who comes in on a weekly basis now. can't imagine life without her. she brings order in my life and a bit of happiness. nothing wrong with that. ny has higher standards. if you're not from ny you probably don't get it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.13.10, 10:07 PM Flag
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What does that even mean?? Why are people from the mid-west somehow not intrigued by some idiot who accepts food stamps and WIC yet has a nanny?? You have a "maid" by which I assume you mean a cleaning woman and you had a housekeeper but the question is, are you on public assistance? Are you collecting unemployment, bringing in no money of your own, buying food with food stamps AND currently employing a "maid"? If the answer is yes then you're just as stupid as the blogger. Saying "if you're from ny you don't get it" is saying that it makes sense to NYers to be on welfare and still enjoy what are definitely luxuries, not necessities. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.13.10, 10:22 PM Flag
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np LOL! Our hhi is over 1mm. In NYC. I don't have a nanny. Jeez, if people on the dole have help, there's something seriously wrong. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.14.10, 05:11 AM Flag
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i just read the blog. she is making money apparently doing freelance work. if she's doing freelance work and getting unemployment i think she can a subsidized nanny. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.14.10, 06:08 AM Flag
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Is it legal to collect unemployment while working? Or can you collect it until you get a full time job? Somehow that doesn't seem right. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.14.10, 06:15 AM Flag
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Joie de WIC, please stop drumming up traffic. No one is interested, period. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.14.10, 06:18 AM Flag
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she can work and collect just as long as she doesn't claim for that week that she worked. i am on unemployment and i do the same thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.14.10, 06:27 AM Flag
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And you are on WIC and food stamps as well? There's a big difference between collecting unemployment checks and being on welfare. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 01.14.10, 08:09 AM Flag
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