I'm an idiot-check acct mess, gifts, etc

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
I'm an idiot-check acct mess, gifts, etc
8
Tue, 05-23-2006 - 10:54pm
Hi, everyone. Well, I am an idiot. Remember the snafu with the old checking account? Couldnt figure out why checks hadnt cleared, etc.? WELL---I wrote checks on the closed account checks. That was what was on the desk. Didnt even check to see what the account number was. Now, it is a nightmare. NSF (didnt say "closed"). DH sent an e-mail to his cc companies, I sent letters to the water softener place, etc.. They increased DH's percentage to 31%!! I called the bank, they couldnt figure out either why none of these checks had not cleared. Thank goodness most of our stuff is online. SOOO-Had the bank overnight, FEDEX checks of the new account to me. (No, I didnt have "extra" checks from this account.). I have since shredded ALL old checks, etc. Never mind that the account has been closed a year. Mess number two---baby showers. OMG! Didnt realize how expensive gifts can be (this is at Target, NOT some fancy store). Got stuff for two showers, gift bags, wrap, paper, tissue paper, etc. I mean, just onesies were $10-$15, etc. AND, have yet to get two grad gifts within a few weeks. I can just see my credit rating spiraling downward. What else can I do about this checking account thing? Pay double payments? Write more letters? Sigh. Stupid Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 8:43am

 

Image hosting by TinyPic

Avatar for 2locachicas
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 8:52am

Whiz

that stinks that DH credit card upped his rate with just one mistake. Has he talked to them? Usuall the first person you talk to can't/wont do anything but the next person does. Persistance pays off. Especially if he has been a customer for a while.

As for the baby gifts...I usually do a basket filled with stuff they haven't registered for but will need. Baby tylenol, gas drops, baby wash, a bunch of stuff like that and than I make it into a gift basket with a big bin of wipes as the base...usually I can get it all done for under $25.

As for the grads...there is a thread from a couple of weeks ago that had some good ideas in it.

You will make it...it just sucks while you wait

Loca

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 1:29pm

You're not an idiot. You're human, which means you are bound to make mistakes once in a while and this is one of those times. Don't be so hard on yourself.

I would keep calling the credit card company and ask them to lower the interest rate back down. Keep trying. You can get a different customer service person every day, and one of them might be in a good mood and will lower it back for you.

I got a gift of all of that little baby stuff like the medications and wipes and stuff when I had my daughter 8 years ago and loved it. Also, in the future, dollar stores are totally the way to go for gift bags and tissue paper and such - even Target is way overpriced for that kind of stuff. There were some good ideas in the thread the other day about graduation gift ideas. I think for my 4 I am ending up with:

- female cousin; high school; The Everything College Survival Book
- female cousin; college; The Everything After College Book
- male cousin; college; Dave Ramsey's TMMO
- female very close family friend; high school; the gift of putting together the stapler and school supplies and all of that. (Loved the idea, but the first 3 on this list are out of state and I didn't want to deal with shipping, so books are easier for them.)

The first 2 books are very cool and less than $10 on amazon.com; the Dave Ramsey book is $14.99 on amazon too.

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Wed, 05-24-2006 - 11:26pm
Hi, Loca, Aravis, Heather--Just needed a hug, and that I am not totally dingy. DH did call and e-mail his cc companies, I am hoping to write letters. Egads---Didnt even think of the dollar store for tissue paper, ribbons, etc. When I went to Target (as opposed to some high-end store), I thought I got good deals. I also have two other grad gifts to buy---one for a BD, and one for a law grad. I might just go to Borders and see what they have there. What do you all think of a plaque with someones' name on it for an advanced degree gift--you know, those name plaques that sit on the desk and say, "Jane Smith, MBA", or "John Smith, Registered Pharmacist"? I thought that might be unique. The baby gift ideas sound great----I did get some wipes, a nightlight, the Johnson and Johnson bath gift set, and some socks, onesies, so I'm pretty much set with the baby gifts, except maybe one more, so am thankful for your ideas!! WHiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2006
Thu, 05-25-2006 - 12:48pm

I am another one that gives an assortment for baby showers. A lot of times new parents don't think about nail clippers, desitin or the other little things until they are at home one night and really need it. I actually got a smoke detector for a friend when she was having her first baby. They lived in a slum house (the second floor was missing half the floor!!!) and they didn't have basic safety things. I try and find copies of tightwad gazette books used to give as grad or wedding gifts.

Good luck getting the checks cleared up!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 05-25-2006 - 3:41pm

If you are even a teensy bit handy with sewing (you don't even need a machine), you can make great baby blankets. One of my favorites was a gift made with a piece of fleece (probably under $3 at WalMart) with bits of fabric sewn on the surface in patches. These were in the shape of hearts, mostly, with a zig-zag stitch (which can be done easily enough by hand, since it's not very much sewing to do. Fleece doesn't fray at the edges, so it doesn't have to be edge-stitched. She just tied some yarn in tassles on the corners through slits she cut (and, again, didn't have to edge stitch since it's fleece). It was warm, cozy, handy, and moisture-proof (great for when the diaper leaks--just wrap the baby in fleece and skeedadle home--this happened to me once with a huge breastmilk-poop explosion and no spare diaper--the fleece contained the mess till I could get home). Also very soft.

The decorations could be made out of scraps of fabric in pretty colors.

And because it was heart-felt, handmade, and so useful, it was a more than sufficient gift in and of itself.

I generally make baby slings for baby showers, also a cheap alternative, but requires a bit more sewing skill and access to appropriate rings. Directions at www.mayawrap.com. There's a pouch style sling that I like best and that does not require rings (which are the most expensive and biggest pain to find), but it only works if the mom and dad are a similar size, or if only one of them will be using it, as it's not adjustable.

Anyway, don't give yourself a hard time. We all make mistakes from time to time. Unfortunately, your mistake is a particularly messy (but easy to make) one, but you're doing what you can to fix it, so don't stress. You'll be okay.

Hope you're feeling better,

Heather

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Fri, 05-26-2006 - 12:46am
Hi, Layman---Am doing laundry and I just happened to read your suggestion on the clippers, etc. What a great practical gift! I just assumed that parents already have this stuff, but I couldnt see carrying huge bottles of baby oil, etc. Went online to Target, and found this cute tote-type bag that had mini clippers, bulb syringe, a medicine dropper, small comb, etc. Perfect! You saved my sanity, wallet, and it is all packaged together. With gratitude, Whiz.:)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Fri, 05-26-2006 - 12:51am
Hi, Heather---I appreciate your support and ideas. Honestly, I am clueless when it comes to buying for baby showers, as my nieces and nephews are way past that stage. I always try and get something about 3-6 months beyond the infant size, but it gets tricky. The fleece thing sounds like fun, something practical, and I have two more showers to go, so I have some time to do this. Thanks! WHiz.