nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Noe there isn't anything new under the sun, I just thought the 7 years was an interesting thought, although I'm good for a couple of years and I'll stay with that.
Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 11 - 17, 2024
- Thread starter nomifyle
- Start date
I guess decluttering is in the air!
I'm amazed that I still find things to declutter. Some things too heavy or no longer used.
I also just took in too many things from dead relatives. The attachment has lessened and I can let things go.
I have a couple of boxes of non-clothing items to go to Habitat. I just tell them to toss what they can't sell. No time or energy to micromanage it all.
I have also tightened up my diet. Low carb and low sugar and arthritis is better. Still have tendon ligament issues around one knee but overall better.
I'm amazed that I still find things to declutter. Some things too heavy or no longer used.
I also just took in too many things from dead relatives. The attachment has lessened and I can let things go.
I have a couple of boxes of non-clothing items to go to Habitat. I just tell them to toss what they can't sell. No time or energy to micromanage it all.
I have also tightened up my diet. Low carb and low sugar and arthritis is better. Still have tendon ligament issues around one knee but overall better.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Who decided that Valentine's Day and the start of Lent are on the same day? Too weird, for sure!
It's 43 degrees and sunny. The heat continues. I'm taking another vehicle full of mulch to the community garden on my way to work (I'm not spreading it). For once, most of us gardeners are ready to go. All we need are warmer temperatures. It's far to early to be planting outside. I will have some tomato plants starting in the indoor tabletop green house soon.
It's 43 degrees and sunny. The heat continues. I'm taking another vehicle full of mulch to the community garden on my way to work (I'm not spreading it). For once, most of us gardeners are ready to go. All we need are warmer temperatures. It's far to early to be planting outside. I will have some tomato plants starting in the indoor tabletop green house soon.
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kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Okay. I earned my acting award today. I managed to remain pleasant, and pleasant sounding, and have a long conversation with a sensitive client... while my back thigh muscles charley horsed and my guts clamped down painfully due to the operating room gas. I thought I was past the second part of that but apparently the other issue delayed that. So now it's visiting.
I can't wait until I can go walking again. 36 hours.
I can't wait until I can go walking again. 36 hours.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
We had made at home egg mcmuffins this morning. While not exactly cheap, because nothing is cheap anymore, certainly not as expensive as mcdonalds. Very tasty. I do buy the better Dave's english muffins and well worth the extra money. DH made the fresh coffee and I'm enjoying an after meal cup.
Speaking of coffee, I probably have up to two years worth in my pantry. When I buy more I think I will put it in mylar in a bucket, probably for those that come after us.
I managed to put a few dollars in my cash stash and could get another $20 before I get my check next week. My electric bill went down a few dollars instead of increasing. The temps get down to 66 where I sleep, I stay warm except for my feet, some how I manage to kick the covers off of them, probably because they got hot, oh well, its worth it for the electric bill this month. The furnace rarely kicks on.
The sun is shinning again to day and its glorious, thank you Lord.
I've gotten on my recumbent bike for the last two days, not long, but working on longer. I swear it has helped my knees. If there was some way I convince DH to ride it his knees would hurt less. It builds up the quads which takes stress off the knees.
Speaking of coffee, I probably have up to two years worth in my pantry. When I buy more I think I will put it in mylar in a bucket, probably for those that come after us.
I managed to put a few dollars in my cash stash and could get another $20 before I get my check next week. My electric bill went down a few dollars instead of increasing. The temps get down to 66 where I sleep, I stay warm except for my feet, some how I manage to kick the covers off of them, probably because they got hot, oh well, its worth it for the electric bill this month. The furnace rarely kicks on.
The sun is shinning again to day and its glorious, thank you Lord.
I've gotten on my recumbent bike for the last two days, not long, but working on longer. I swear it has helped my knees. If there was some way I convince DH to ride it his knees would hurt less. It builds up the quads which takes stress off the knees.
nomifyle, have you ever tried making your own English muffins? I've saved several how-to recipes but haven't tried them yet.
I have the 25# of chicken in my roaster oven, and I think it's done. I'd planned to use large roaster in the oven, but it wasn't large enough and the oven will not hold two roasters. Sure glad I had the roaster oven option. First step is always to thoroughly clean the stove where the canner will be and that's done. Also, have the jars, lids and equipment ready to go. Everything was still partially frozen, so I wore latex gloves to keep my hands a bit warmer. I'll do the same when I start processing to protect from hot. Doesn't eliminate the cold/heat, but it helps.
I've been on my feet since 9:00 so at 12:30 I decided to eat lunch and sit for at least a half hour before I begin the canning process. Guess it's time to get back at it.
I have the 25# of chicken in my roaster oven, and I think it's done. I'd planned to use large roaster in the oven, but it wasn't large enough and the oven will not hold two roasters. Sure glad I had the roaster oven option. First step is always to thoroughly clean the stove where the canner will be and that's done. Also, have the jars, lids and equipment ready to go. Everything was still partially frozen, so I wore latex gloves to keep my hands a bit warmer. I'll do the same when I start processing to protect from hot. Doesn't eliminate the cold/heat, but it helps.
I've been on my feet since 9:00 so at 12:30 I decided to eat lunch and sit for at least a half hour before I begin the canning process. Guess it's time to get back at it.
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
Today was more clothes to donate and some more put away. Also putting stuff back in the garage from the back patio after the garage had to be partially emptied when we had a whole house generator put in. They needed to be able to get to the breaker box. So now all my yarn is together, all the kids clothes are together, and all the storage containers are together.
I have stuff stashed all over the place, so I found some more yarn to add to the totes. Pulled out all my dishtowels and pot holders bought for TSHTF and put them in plastic containers to protect them and put them together where I could find them. I am always buying dish towels and pot holders after holidays and have probably twenty or more of each now stashed away. Probably don't need any more of those.
Three bursts of energy today toward the decluttering, along with washing three of the large throw blankets we use in the living room. That's a lot for me!
I have stuff stashed all over the place, so I found some more yarn to add to the totes. Pulled out all my dishtowels and pot holders bought for TSHTF and put them in plastic containers to protect them and put them together where I could find them. I am always buying dish towels and pot holders after holidays and have probably twenty or more of each now stashed away. Probably don't need any more of those.
Three bursts of energy today toward the decluttering, along with washing three of the large throw blankets we use in the living room. That's a lot for me!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
It has been a living nightmare for us, since yesterday morning. Cary got on his computer and got a message that it had been infected with a trojan horse virus and to call a Microsoft number that was on the screen to begin getting it taken care of. He did, and that's when the virus was downloaded. The message was a part of the virus. The virus infected both of our computers, our cell phones, and our smart tv (All wifi connected). It cleaned out our savings account at the bank, too which was several thousands of dollars. Gone, poof, nothing left! We spent all day, yesterday and into the night, plus all day, today, getting it all straightened out, including buying a new computer, getting an all new checking account set up with all that's involved with that, new cell phones, and notified our fiber service about the tv. After all of that, we are flat broke. We never kept much in our checking account after our bills were paid, so there isn't anything in the new account to spend. Cary still has a lot of calls to make tomorrow to switch all of our online bill paying over to our new account.
There is no way to recover any of our money.
Since we only have one computer, now, we'll be sharing it, until payday when Cary will get another one for himself. That will be next week.
"The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord".
There is no way to recover any of our money.
Since we only have one computer, now, we'll be sharing it, until payday when Cary will get another one for himself. That will be next week.
"The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord".
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, we did that today at our bank. I don't think that we'll ever be able to replace what was taken from us now that Cary is retired. Most of our savings was accumulated while he was working. Most all of my ss checks went directly into our savings account, and those were taken, too. We didn't even bother opening a new savings account, today. Just checking.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I'm so sorry this happened to ya'll SB. I have gotten notices like that from time to time and I always delete them, and I even get some crap on my phone, but delete that too. I keep very little in the bank. As soon as my check gets deposited I immediately pay bills and take the rest out.
I did a load of clothes, that are now dried. Need to get them put of the dryer. And put another load in the washer.
I did a load of clothes, that are now dried. Need to get them put of the dryer. And put another load in the washer.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
It was a very sophisticated scam, too. Not a garden variety scam. It even involved our own bank. It's very detailed, but I'll spare you all the details. Once we got to our bank this morning and sat down with the manager, we told her everything in detail. She said that it was more than likely from an overseas operation, since it was so sophisticated and detailed. She was actually shocked at the sophistication of it all. She assured us that the virus and scam wasn't from our bank, but they had spoofed our banks phone number and used it to contact us. Like I said. Very detailed.
Since our bank was used in the scam, they alerted the police.
We went to Best Buy to ask the "Geek Squad" what could be done with our computers. The guy told us to throw them away and buy new ones! The old computers were so corrupted that it would cost almost as much for them to wipe them clean of the virus. Cell phones, too. Not only did it take over and lock up our computers, but our cell phones, too.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks, Meemur. Cary nor I have eaten anything since this happened, yesterday. Our whole life's savings down the tube. I do still have my little emergency fund, plus our small bucket full of PM's. That's it, and we thank God for having that.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I don't know about this, but Cary was logged into TB when this happened, yesterday morning. I hope nothing got through from his computer to TB. Neither of us know if that's possible.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I'm going to do the same tonight at church. I do the church bulletin and will add your names to that. God bless. Good thing you don't need food.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks, Judy. No, we don't need anything right now. I'm glad I bought enough at the first of the month to last all month. I don't have any money to go do our mid/month grocery shopping this week or next. I don't want to use any of our money out of my emergency fund. It's all we have until payday.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
You have this and you are not broke, bent maybe but not broke. I truly believe in what we say matters. You are blessed in so many ways. God bless.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Cary just got off the phone with one of his friends. He told him that we were hurt badly, but not broke. Friend was offering to send us money, but Cary told him, NO.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Because of the sophistication of the scam and virus, there in no way they can return any of our money. It would take too long for me to tell everything, step by step, as to what all happened.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
It didn't come through an e-mail. Cary had just logged onto TB and a Microsoft message came on the screen. The message said that Microsoft had detected a trojan horse virus trying to infect his computer. Along with the message came a phone number for him to call to get the details. When he dialed the number on the screen, the virus was already infecting his computer. It looked like a legitimate Microsoft message. Anyone would have been fooled by it. The woman who answered the phone when Cary called kept him on the phone asking questions and telling him what the Microsoft team would be doing about it. He gave out no sensitive info, but she had all of our personal information already. It went on from there, getting our bank involved.
I'm so very sorry! That feels like a physical kick in the gut!
If you're able to, without causing you too much stress, we'd appreciate any details, especially how spoofing your bank's phone number was involved! I'm also absolutely clueless about how calling a phone number could somehow bypass bank security! Who answered the phone?!
Did you have anti-virus protection on your computer? What brand? I'm sorry for all the questions, but this stuff is terrifying, and, as you sadly found out, the scammers are getting so much more sophisticated.
Prayers for you guys..
Summerthyme
If you're able to, without causing you too much stress, we'd appreciate any details, especially how spoofing your bank's phone number was involved! I'm also absolutely clueless about how calling a phone number could somehow bypass bank security! Who answered the phone?!
Did you have anti-virus protection on your computer? What brand? I'm sorry for all the questions, but this stuff is terrifying, and, as you sadly found out, the scammers are getting so much more sophisticated.
Prayers for you guys..
Summerthyme
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'll try to explain. While Cary was on the phone with the woman who he thought was a Microsoft geek, she told him that she would contact our bank, because fraud might be involved there. Cary told her who our bank was and the phone number. About 1 minute later, Cary got a phone call from our bank. It was the legitimate phone number for our bank. Cary checked it, so he answered it, and a man was on the phone pretending to be working in the fraud dept. at our bank. He apparently, already had full access to all of our banking info. He was verifying everything down to the amount in our checking and savings account. At this point, Cary had no reason not to believe both people were not who they said they were. The manager at our bank, today, told us that bank's phones are spoofed all the time, but nothing like what had happened to us. She didn't even know how they did it.
We were using "Trend" for our anti-virus protection. It doesn't cover trojan horses. The guy at Best Buy said they haven't used Trend in several years, so I guess ours was out of date. It still ran a systems check on both our computers once a month checking for viruses, though. It sure didn't catch this one.
Sherre I have been reading and rereading your experience. I can't wrap my arms around it all as I am sure you can't either. It just makes me heart sick for you. Praying for you.
Thank you! That makes sense. I've never trusted people much, ever... and I sure don't see any reason to change that now!
Summerthyme
Summerthyme
So sorry to hear about this evil scam. This type of thing is the very reason I do not do any banking or bill paying online. I've never signed up to view my bank accounts online. Anyone getting into my computer will get nothing important. Maybe they'd find a way to use a credit card that I've used for online purchases, but the credit card company would likely support me. I suppose using my e-mail address book or forum passwords could potentially cause others problems. Sure hope that never happens.
First I want to say to SB and Cary how very sorry I am that this happened to you...I know you both are heart broken...you have worked hard for years to build that nest egg... and DH and I are heart broken for you..
The following things are not in any way a criticism...of anyone..
The information is for all on thread and anyone you wish to share it with ....if you want to share....about how to not have these things kinds of things happen to you...how to stay safe
Years ago DH and I worked at the same
tractor dealership...The company hired a firm that did all their IT work on their computers ...this company had written the point of sale software for the company we worked for....we also had web access on all of the company computers....one of the two owners did all the updates..virus software etc on all our computers... DH and I over the years became very close friends with that owner and his wife....before he had his own firm...he worked for the CIA...in their IT department
...he has since passed..a few years back
Because of him I am a very low tech redneck..
These are things he taught me
NEVER join Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
Never put any important information on line....
Do not bank on line..do not pay bills on line......do not give banks your email address...none of it is truly secure..they can say it is secure..but ..it can be hacked
Don't do any charge card..stuff in your emails
Don't use those software programs that save your passwords
All of this stuff can be hacked and is
So what do we do....how do we deal with all of it
We have dumb cell phones....mine is with a company that will charge the to our bill dedicated credit card.. not our bank account....it makes phone calls..it has no text or web access..it just makes phone calls..we paid about $30 for the phones ..we have 2 one for each of us...with taxes line charges etc it is about $42 for both phones
We only use it if we are not home ..and want to order pizza or call a friend...all real business done on our land line (not connected to the web)..they send a paper copy of the bill each...marked auto billed....the landline is billed the same way...it has DSL on it..
Some bills we get quarterly for instance... medical supplemental insurance...to pay that I pick up the land line...call the insurance co and charge the payment to the dedicated bill charge card...I then write the date paid.. the amount... the card used (last 4 digits).. and the confirmation number..on the bill...car insurance..the same
Some companies will charge it automatically and not send a bill. But you can see and check it on the paper bill you get in the mail....not on line..
We have a money market account...and the dedicated bill charge card is at the bank.
When the paper bill arrives I call the bank and pay the charge card from that account. Our ss checks go in that account..
I no longer have any bills that require me to mail them...
I have a 8x5 paper notebook.... On the right side of it I write the month and the year....and list bills i get paper bills for that month...when paid i mark them paid..I file the bill in an accordion file ...13 section.(.the are 2 dividers in each month..in the front paycheck stub... .next bank statements ..and last section bills).and enter it in the mm register or the check book register...
The left side of the notebook is for any notes. .. cash back sent to checking account and such ...
To pay these bills I phone the bank and over the landline...I make the payment ...again note date amount pd...and write confirmation number on my bill...
We have a checking account also....we pay other credit cards from that account.. since DH is still working his checks go into that account...we have various charge card accounts that pay cash back..for example.. Amazon with 5% cash back.(only use it for Amazon)...another with 3% cash back on groceries and gas... and a couple with rotating 5% cash back categories..and one with 2% for everything else....we pay in full every month...
There are no charges to pay over the phone..check what is free with the card company
If we ever get anything...a phone call from the bank about charges on the card ..you know push this button.... we immediately hang up and we phone the company from the land line..we know that we are really speaking with the company..
When the cards leave the house...some don't ever..they are in RFID sleeves because of those new chips...
We have those sleeves for our driver's license also because our state has chipped them..
I don't use a computer any more..but rather a cheap $100 tablet....
I do our taxes and fill out the forms by hand ..and mail in the post office in the hard priority letter envelopes
DH works near the tax office and pays our taxes in person..
It might take a little longer to pay bills...but we have nothing to hack...my passwords are all in another book..
We also heat with wood and keep bills for a couple of years...then use them to start fires..or shred and put in the compost pile..
If all this information helps just one person to keep their information safe it is worth it..the web is not really your friend...
The following things are not in any way a criticism...of anyone..
The information is for all on thread and anyone you wish to share it with ....if you want to share....about how to not have these things kinds of things happen to you...how to stay safe
Years ago DH and I worked at the same
tractor dealership...The company hired a firm that did all their IT work on their computers ...this company had written the point of sale software for the company we worked for....we also had web access on all of the company computers....one of the two owners did all the updates..virus software etc on all our computers... DH and I over the years became very close friends with that owner and his wife....before he had his own firm...he worked for the CIA...in their IT department
...he has since passed..a few years back
Because of him I am a very low tech redneck..
These are things he taught me
NEVER join Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
Never put any important information on line....
Do not bank on line..do not pay bills on line......do not give banks your email address...none of it is truly secure..they can say it is secure..but ..it can be hacked
Don't do any charge card..stuff in your emails
Don't use those software programs that save your passwords
All of this stuff can be hacked and is
So what do we do....how do we deal with all of it
We have dumb cell phones....mine is with a company that will charge the to our bill dedicated credit card.. not our bank account....it makes phone calls..it has no text or web access..it just makes phone calls..we paid about $30 for the phones ..we have 2 one for each of us...with taxes line charges etc it is about $42 for both phones
We only use it if we are not home ..and want to order pizza or call a friend...all real business done on our land line (not connected to the web)..they send a paper copy of the bill each...marked auto billed....the landline is billed the same way...it has DSL on it..
Some bills we get quarterly for instance... medical supplemental insurance...to pay that I pick up the land line...call the insurance co and charge the payment to the dedicated bill charge card...I then write the date paid.. the amount... the card used (last 4 digits).. and the confirmation number..on the bill...car insurance..the same
Some companies will charge it automatically and not send a bill. But you can see and check it on the paper bill you get in the mail....not on line..
We have a money market account...and the dedicated bill charge card is at the bank.
When the paper bill arrives I call the bank and pay the charge card from that account. Our ss checks go in that account..
I no longer have any bills that require me to mail them...
I have a 8x5 paper notebook.... On the right side of it I write the month and the year....and list bills i get paper bills for that month...when paid i mark them paid..I file the bill in an accordion file ...13 section.(.the are 2 dividers in each month..in the front paycheck stub... .next bank statements ..and last section bills).and enter it in the mm register or the check book register...
The left side of the notebook is for any notes. .. cash back sent to checking account and such ...
To pay these bills I phone the bank and over the landline...I make the payment ...again note date amount pd...and write confirmation number on my bill...
We have a checking account also....we pay other credit cards from that account.. since DH is still working his checks go into that account...we have various charge card accounts that pay cash back..for example.. Amazon with 5% cash back.(only use it for Amazon)...another with 3% cash back on groceries and gas... and a couple with rotating 5% cash back categories..and one with 2% for everything else....we pay in full every month...
There are no charges to pay over the phone..check what is free with the card company
If we ever get anything...a phone call from the bank about charges on the card ..you know push this button.... we immediately hang up and we phone the company from the land line..we know that we are really speaking with the company..
When the cards leave the house...some don't ever..they are in RFID sleeves because of those new chips...
We have those sleeves for our driver's license also because our state has chipped them..
I don't use a computer any more..but rather a cheap $100 tablet....
I do our taxes and fill out the forms by hand ..and mail in the post office in the hard priority letter envelopes
DH works near the tax office and pays our taxes in person..
It might take a little longer to pay bills...but we have nothing to hack...my passwords are all in another book..
We also heat with wood and keep bills for a couple of years...then use them to start fires..or shred and put in the compost pile..
If all this information helps just one person to keep their information safe it is worth it..the web is not really your friend...
Marseydoats
Veteran Member
Sherree, I am so sorry.
Forgive me, for I have a very suspicious nature, but the way you said the woman at the bank acted, it sounded to me like she may have been in on the scam. Unless a detective has already contacted you and Cary, you need to call the police yourself and tell them exactly what happened. I have learned the hard way to NEVER trust anyone with money.
I know that banking regs pretty much change monthly, but it was my understanding that the bank would be responsible for at least part of your money?
Again, very sorry for you and I hope you can recover some of the funds.
Forgive me, for I have a very suspicious nature, but the way you said the woman at the bank acted, it sounded to me like she may have been in on the scam. Unless a detective has already contacted you and Cary, you need to call the police yourself and tell them exactly what happened. I have learned the hard way to NEVER trust anyone with money.
I know that banking regs pretty much change monthly, but it was my understanding that the bank would be responsible for at least part of your money?
Again, very sorry for you and I hope you can recover some of the funds.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
SB I am so sorry this happened! On the prayer list.
I posted update on my thread Cleveland Clinic.
Happy Birthday Meemur!!!
You always sound like a 25 yr old with your energy! Your a sweetheart.
I posted update on my thread Cleveland Clinic.
Happy Birthday Meemur!!!
You always sound like a 25 yr old with your energy! Your a sweetheart.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
if you aren't aware of how the scumbags work the digital fraud - new movie The Beekeeper does an excellent representation >>>>
it's covered in the first 10 minutes or so - the remainder of the movie is extremely violent - watch the remainder with this warning in mind .....
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks All for your prayers. They are much appreciated. I truly mean that.
Cary has been on the phone all morning trying to get all of our direct withdrawal bills switched over to our new bank account. He still has to contact the SS office to get it set up with them, so they have our new account to deposit our checks into next week. It's a nightmare trying to get all of this done. The SS office has put him on hold for an hour wait time! He tried to do it online, but they won't let you do that.
Just to give ya'll a heads up. The "geek" at Best Buy told us what to do if we ever get a message that pops up on our screen. No matter who the message is from, just turn your computer off right then. That will stop the download of any virus. Then, remove the battery from your computer. Just unplug everything.
We're about ready to leave going after a new computer for Cary. It's hard for us to share mine. He needs his own computer back.
I'll try to get back with ya'll later this afternoon.
Cary has been on the phone all morning trying to get all of our direct withdrawal bills switched over to our new bank account. He still has to contact the SS office to get it set up with them, so they have our new account to deposit our checks into next week. It's a nightmare trying to get all of this done. The SS office has put him on hold for an hour wait time! He tried to do it online, but they won't let you do that.
Just to give ya'll a heads up. The "geek" at Best Buy told us what to do if we ever get a message that pops up on our screen. No matter who the message is from, just turn your computer off right then. That will stop the download of any virus. Then, remove the battery from your computer. Just unplug everything.
We're about ready to leave going after a new computer for Cary. It's hard for us to share mine. He needs his own computer back.
I'll try to get back with ya'll later this afternoon.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
You might look at Dell Refurbished quick. I got a really nice laptop from them. And I think they're running a discount sale right now.