Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 11 - 17, 2024

[SouthernBreeze]

We had a nice visit with Mom. Afterwards we went back to Big Town for Cary's new computer, and there were more bills we had to stop in and pay where they are usually paid by check through the mail. We have no new checks, yet, since they had to be ordered. He had to pay them with cash in person.

He's setting up his new computer, now.

There is still a lot we'll have to keep working on to get back to our new normal, but, hopefully, the rest can all be done by phone. We have run ourselves ragged every day this week and are hoping that we can have a day of rest tomorrow. We have no plans, until Tuesday of next week. That's my next dental appt.

 

[aviax2]

@SouthernBreeze I‘m so sorry that happened to y’all. It seems the bank should bear some responsibility for letting that happen. There should have been all kinds of red flags popping up for the bank with that kind of unusual activity.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Have Cary go to the bank and have them make the change to the new account. The bank can handle it in a jiffy.

Our bank manager didn't say anything about them changing our account numbers for us for our SS checks, Cary's retirement checks, or anything else. All of that was left up for us to do. We even discussed the situation we were in about having such a short time to get the account number changed for our SS checks with her. I don't know, but I think if it were possible for the bank to do it for us, she would have said something to us about them handling it for us.

 

[aviax2]

Things have been busy and hectic around here this past weekend and week. Little granddaughter has had some viral thing going on and needed to have her allergy med changed, so I had her both Monday and Wednesday. Flu, Covid, colds and a stomach bug is still raging around here, especially in the county my daughters work and my grands go to school.

@kyrsyan I hope you’re feeling stronger every day.

 

[hd5574]

We have changed the account that social security checks go into a couple of...SB is correct the bank manger couldn't...we have always had to do that are selves....it been a long time since we changed them last....
I guess the quickest way would be to call and see if you could do it over the phone...

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We have changed the account that social security checks go into a couple of...SB is correct the bank manger couldn't...we have always had to do that are selves....it been a long time since we changed them last....
I guess the quickest way would be to call and see if you could do it over the phone...

Over the phone is what Cary tried to do this morning. It was so busy that the SS office "phone tree" told him there was a 1 hour waiting period. Cary didn't want to wait that long, so decided to try again tomorrow morning. I think he's going to try doing it online again, first.

 

[hd5574]

In addition to the things I wrote about I have an old day runner notebook ....loose leaf...with index....pages are about 6x3....each account has a page or more if needed...with the infomation relevant to that account.... the account number... the password to speak with us over the phone.. the company phone number and so forth... it very easy to grab..in a case of emergency
.. important documents are stored in a water proof...semi burn bag...letter size..I buy project files ...again letter size and put important paper in a project file with label identification of contents...each vehicle gets a file...each insurance policy etc...again very easy to grab in an emergency....

 

[nomifyle]

Last night DH got a virus message on his computer and because I'd told him about what happened to ya'll he turned his computer off. When he turned it back on the message was gone.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Last night DH got a virus message on his computer and because I'd told him about what happened to ya'll he turned his computer off. When he turned it back on the message was gone.

Yeah. Turn it off and unplug it from the battery connection as quickly as possible. Don't take time to mess around trying to find out if the message is legitimate or not. It might be too late by then. It was for us. When I say turn it off, I mean to hit the off button right then, not try to take time to shut anything down.

 

[Meemur]

Good advice! I'll keep it in mind, SB.

Prayers are ongoing for everyone!

Good to "see" you, Wanderlore. I'll look for your updated thread. HA! I wish I were 25 and know what I know now.

Very busy day here! Snow is in the forecast for tomorrow, and I'm trying to haul more mulch out to the community garden (others are spreading it) and some other outside work.

 

[nomifyle]

Yeah. Turn it off and unplug it from the battery connection as quickly as possible. Don't take time to mess around trying to find out if the message is legitimate or not. It might be too late by then. It was for us. When I say turn it off, I mean to hit the off button right then, not try to take time to shut anything down.

I don't bother trying to find out if something like that is legitimate. My computer came with some kind of virus thing on it and it could be expired by now, so turning it off and unplugging from the power works for me. I've gotten a similiar message on my phone, so I turn that off too and its gone when I turn it back on.

I'd be interested in how long it takes to get your checks turned on on your new checking account.

I do pay my bills on line and y cell phone by phone. I live on a rural road and don't put checks in the mail box and actually pay nothing by check.

I am going to put a dozen eggs in the mail box in the next day or to for the postal lady's mother. Her mother just had a heart attack.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'd be interested in how long it takes to get your checks turned on on your new checking account.

As soon as we get our new checks in the mail, we can begin writing checks from our new account. All of our money from our old checking account was taken out and given to us in cash when we closed out that account at the bank. Now, we have to wait, until the new checks arrive. Everything we're buying and paying bills with now is from cash left in our old account given to us when it was closed out. I don't know how long it will take the new checks to arrive. If our bank manager said, I don't remember. Also, there is no money in our new account to write checks or make withdrawals from. Once our SS checks go in next week, we'll have money in it.

 

[nomifyle]

As soon as we get our new checks in the mail, we can begin writing checks from our new account. All of our money from our old checking account was taken out and given to us in cash when we closed out that account at the bank. Now, we have to wait, until the new checks arrive. Everything we're buying and paying bills with now is from cash left in our old account given to us when it was closed out. I don't know how long it will take the new checks to arrive. If our bank manager said, I don't remember. Also, there is no money in our new account to write checks or make withdrawals from. Once our SS checks go in next week, we'll have money in it.

Actually I meant how long it takes for your ss checks to be in your new account.

 

[nomifyle]

Last night at church I was chatting with the pastor's wife. She is having a lot of leg and hip pain, I said sciatia and she po pood that. I also told her about how my inversion table helped my same kind of pain, she wants to wait for the doctors to tell her what is wrong. Poor misguided woman.

So I decided to take my own advice and got on my inversion table. I stayed on it for 6 minutes and that was about 3 hours ago. so far no pain. I'm pleased but not surprised and I'll give it another round before the sun goes down. I've been in a lot of pain lately, seems like a good stretch works.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Actually I meant how long it takes for your ss checks to be in your new account.

As soon as they are deposited just like they always are. Next Wednesday is payday for both of us, so both checks should go directly into our new account that day. That is, as long as SS has our new account number. That's what Cary is trying to get changed for them.

I might have this wrong, since Cary is taking care of all of this mess. I believe that our old account is still open with only 2 cents in it, so if any deposits are made in the next 30 days, they will still go into that account if they don't have our new account number. I think we would have to move it out of the old account into the new one ourselves. Our bank is giving us 30 days to get everything changed over to our new account, before they completely close our old one.

 

[hd5574]

Last night at church I was chatting with the pastor's wife. She is having a lot of leg and hip pain, I said sciatia and she po pood that. I also told her about how my inversion table helped my same kind of pain, she wants to wait for the doctors to tell her what is wrong. Poor misguided woman.

So I decided to take my own advice and got on my inversion table. I stayed on it for 6 minutes and that was about 3 hours ago. so far no pain. I'm pleased but not surprised and I'll give it another round before the sun goes down. I've been in a lot of pain lately, seems like a good stretch works.

My cousin in AZ has this wonderful doctor...he became a doctor so he could prescribe antibiotics....he believes that sometimes they are truly needed.....
He heals with vitamins, minerals and herbs...
She has had one knee replacement and was sure she would have to have the knee replaced she was in pain could not kneel down..
He started her on Quercetin....he told her Toniiq
was the brand she needed to take.. to take 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening....
She is no longer in pain and can use that knee ...it is an expensive brand but it works...
I am taking it but only 2 per day...at 77 I had a few aches and pains...but it takes them away...
Love the stuff...it is on Amazon but it is cheaper on their own website....DH and are both using it.

 

[anna43]

I'm surprised that the bank can't help. I had to change my dh's ss deposit to a separate account and the bank did it for me. They notified SS. I had a POA for my dh and the bank had a copy, so they honored the request. I don't remember if I had to sign anything other than the papers opening the new account. Can you ask the bank to automatically transfer your ss deposits to the new account should they go into the old one? I'd be worried that the scam people would get those funds as well should they go into the old account.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm surprised that the bank can't help. I had to change my dh's ss deposit to a separate account and the bank did it for me. They notified SS. I had a POA for my dh and the bank had a copy, so they honored the request. I don't remember if I had to sign anything other than the papers opening the new account. Can you ask the bank to automatically transfer your ss deposits to the new account should they go into the old one? I'd be worried that the scam people would get those funds as well should they go into the old account.

We've already got that covered with our bank should our SS checks go into the old account. Plus, Cary got our online banking stuff set back up on his new computer, and we can transfer the money ourselves as soon as it's deposited into the old account. But, no, the bank has it set up for us so that the scammers can't get to our money through our old account.

Cary plans to contact SSA tomorrow morning, so that might not be a problem, anyway. I just don't know how long all the paperwork will take on their end to get it all done. Hopefully, before they send our checks out.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I need to clarify something. Our old account has been frozen, not exactly closed. Money can go into it, but no money can be withdrawn from it without our personal consent. The bank has established security measures in place for us.

I have been so confused by all of this that I can't half think straight. If I miss speak about something, just stalk it up to my head is still spinning. Cary has had to explain it all to me every step of the way, so it's hard for me to explain it all to you all.

 

[nomifyle]

DH and I just got back from the cabin where the inversion table is (its less than a hundred yards from our front door). Dh had never been on it before, so he is skeptical. This my second time today. I had not been on it in a few years. I'm sitting up straighter and no pain.

nomifyle, have you ever tried making your own English muffins? I've saved several how-to recipes but haven't tried them yet.

I've seen videos on making them, but I've never tried. Maybe I will. I'll put that on my list of things to do. I've not been on the bike today but I will this evening.

 

[kyrsyan]

SB, have him call the very minute they open. Not 5 minutes later. Not a minute later if possible. The exact minute.

Then the hold time might be reasonable.

 

[hd5574]

SB, have him call the very minute they open. Not 5 minutes later. Not a minute later if possible. The exact minute.

Then the hold time might be reasonable.

If it is a long time put it on speaker and keep it close by you and do something else until they answer...

 

[kyrsyan]

If it is a long time put it on speaker and keep it close by you and do something else until they answer...

I have to use this trick for some work stuff. I put it on speaker and work.

 

[moldy]

Hit Safeway tonight to pick up the specials. I couldn't bring myself to buy cheapie pizza at $3.49 each when I knew I'd have to add a bunch to make a meal of it. LOTS of leftover Valentine candy (which people weren't buying) and big holes for cheap stuff like milk, mac and cheese in the box, ramen, and pasta. It's hitting folks hard.

 

[Meemur]

Yes, and even the specials and loss leaders aren't that good right now: all the snacky, overly-salted junk food that didn't sell for the Super Bowl and lots of off-brand soft drinks. Lots of candy, too, but mostly generic stuff, brands I don't recognize.

One good thing: fresh fish is back (Lenten season). I broiled some cod for dinner that was delish!
The rest of the year, our fish is pretty bad.

 

[Digger]

SB I am so sorry to hear about the scam you were hit with. Thank you for sharing the information as it may save others from the same mistake.

I think the rumor about our 10 Box store closing is just a rumor. I think it may have started because maybe they are changing cleaning companies. I talked to a worker we are friends with at our Harps store and he said that the 10 Box store was their most profitable store.

We worked cleaning the new garden we started last year. Hubby even brought his propane burner and burned the old bean plants off the cow panel that I use as a trellis. I am going to put my little green house up and get some seed started today. Hubby serviced the tiller yesterday so I can start tilling if I get to it today.

We had the kids yesterday. Little girl pretty much wore me out. But I enjoy them so much.

Tomorrow morning we are going to the poultry swap. I am taking some unwashed fertile eggs and a few bales of hay. I am hoping to connect with a couple of new hay customers. I also want to see if there are any Bourbon Red turkeys for sale. If there is a Buff Orpington rooster there, I might bring one home. I need a new one, but it has to be young. I have been looking at the prices of poultry in the catalogs and some of them are eye popping. Geese were $30 straight run. I am not doing geese again though. I loved them, but Hubby didn't at all. I just enjoy my daughters geese when we visit them.

Time to post this and get busy. Prayers and blessings to everyone.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I can't say anything more than I have already about the scam. It's under Federal investigation, and we've been told not to speak anything more about it in public or over the phone. What I've said so far to you all is ok. No specifics were given out, really.

Still working through the process, but it's all about finished on our end. Cary is "on hold" with the SSA right now. Wait time...30 mins.

A big laundry day for me, today, plus doing some much needed housework, since I haven't been home all week to do anything. I've already got pork chops in the crockpot with gravy for tonight. I don't know what I'll fix to go with them, yet. Much to do, today.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We are set with the SSA and our monthly checks. It didn't take long at all to get that done. Next month's checks will be directly deposited into the new account. We'll have to let them be deposited this month into the old account and go to our bank to withdraw them in person (security measure) and put into our new account. There's not enough time to get it changed for this month's checks.

 

[Meemur]

Prayers are ongoing for everyone!

About two inches of snow fell last night, and it's back in the upper 20s, but it's going back into the 50s tomorrow. I've got to go to work in a few minutes, but I'm scanning the news. I get the feeling there is stuff going on that we're not hearing about (yet).

I'm also going to get a hair cut today. Yes, I know that this is beyond trivial, but my last three hair cuts have been horrible, and I have to cut my hair really short (summer cut) and start over: there's three cow licks and the back looks like a raccoon's tail. I'm not kidding! It looks terrible and even hair spray and a blow dryer doesn't help at this point. (I usually have a "comb and go" style.)

I got several recommendations for this stylist, and I hope it's going to be OK because I'm paying about 3X as much as I normally would, but I'm also having photos taken for work (new IDs) and I'd rather not look like an 18-year-old with goofy hair.

TGIF and wishing everyone a great day!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Prayers are ongoing for everyone!

About two inches of snow fell last night, and it's back in the upper 20s, but it's going back into the 50s tomorrow. I've got to go to work in a few minutes, but I'm scanning the news. I get the feeling there is stuff going on that we're not hearing about (yet).

I'm also going to get a hair cut today. Yes, I know that this is beyond trivial, but my last three hair cuts have been horrible, and I have to cut my hair really short (summer cut) and start over: there's three cow licks and the back looks like a raccoon's tail. I'm not kidding! It looks terrible and even hair spray and a blow dryer doesn't help at this point. (I usually have a "comb and go" style.)

I got several recommendations for this stylist, and I hope it's going to be OK because I'm paying about 3X as much as I normally would, but I'm also having photos taken for work (new IDs) and I'd rather not look like an 18-year-old with goofy hair.

TGIF and wishing everyone a great day!

I need to have about a foot cut off of my hair. It's waist length, but it really does need a big trimming. Mostly, I just wear mine in a simple ponytail or bun. It's straight as a board, too.

I pray the new stylist does a great job for you. Mom usually does mine.

 

[summerthyme]

I've cut my own hair for years... had a waist length braid until I hit 60. And since I usually kept it braided, it wasn't a big deal if I didn't get it perfect.

But I got sick of the length, and I lost about 1/3 of it after COVID, so I needed to change something.

Our oldest son was dating a lovely woman who happens to have her own salon (and does "travel" hair services, catering mostly to older folks who are homebound). And she volunteered to cut anyone's hair in the family! She does a beautiful job, and while I'm uncomfortable taking advantage of her generosity, it's wonderful to be able to get a trim once a year and know it's going to be done well!

She accepted DS's ring at Christmas, so she's going to be a permanent part of the family. FINALLY! At 47, he found the right one, and they really are a great match. I've never seen him happier...

Summerthyme

 

[nomifyle]

Yes, Meemur, hope you get a good cut this time.

I have fine naturally curly hair, but not curly enough to have a good curly style without product. I get it cut and then let it grow out and wear a short pony tail. For years it was long and I wore it in a pony tail and then it got heavy and gave me a headache, but I was able to put the pony tail in a braid and not headache. then I went really short, spikey. I like spiky but it requires regular hair cuts.

now my hair is just about shoulder length and I wear it in a pony tail, straight back, no bangs. Its just the best I can do. Wearing it curly is hard because it requires styling and since I get should and arm pain its a no go anymore. And besides I'm 77. Neat and tidy works for me. I do want to get the ends trimmed and silver highlights. I have silver in my hair but the color that goes with it I don't like.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Yes, Meemur, hope you get a good cut this time.

I have fine naturally curly hair, but not curly enough to have a good curly style without product. I get it cut and then let it grow out and wear a short pony tail. For years it was long and I wore it in a pony tail and then it got heavy and gave me a headache, but I was able to put the pony tail in a braid and not headache. then I went really short, spikey. I like spiky but it requires regular hair cuts.

now my hair is just about shoulder length and I wear it in a pony tail, straight back, no bangs. Its just the best I can do. Wearing it curly is hard because it requires styling and since I get should and arm pain its a no go anymore. And besides I'm 77. Neat and tidy works for me. I do want to get the ends trimmed and silver highlights. I have silver in my hair but the color that goes with it I don't like.

One of the reasons I let my hair grow long is that I developed rotator cuff problems in both shoulders, and the pain of having to lift my arms over my head to blow dry and style was just too much. Now, I just wash, blow dry, and let it hang loose or in a ponytail or bun. No fussing with it at all. No shoulder pain, either.

At almost 65, I still don't have any grey hair. When I was much younger, I kept color on my hair all the time. I haven't used any color in years, since I stopped sunbathing to get a tan. I told Cary that I was going to go grey naturally when the time comes.

Mom is 83 yrs. old and still doesn't have grey hair, except right around her temple area. It's not totally grey there. She doesn't use hair color, either.

 

[Wildwood]

We are set with the SSA and our monthly checks. It didn't take long at all to get that done. Next month's checks will be directly deposited into the new account. We'll have to let them be deposited this month into the old account and go to our bank to withdraw them in person (security measure) and put into our new account. There's not enough time to get it changed for this month's checks.

I'm heartsick about what happened to you and Cary. Our bank can print checks and will do them for free if you need a few in an emergency. This has been an eye opener for sure because I would have thought the bank would have insured at least part of the money. Thank goodness the date was close for the checks to drop. This makes me want to start converting more of our meager funds to cash. Prayers for y'all.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm heartsick about what happened to you and Cary. Our bank can print checks and will do them for free if you need a few in an emergency. This has been an eye opener for sure because I would have thought the bank would have insured at least part of the money. Thank goodness the date was close for the checks to drop. This makes me want to start converting more of our meager funds to cash. Prayers for y'all.

I can't talk about what the bank can and can't do to insure our money. Like I said, our bank was involved, too, in the scam, but that's all I can say. Everyone needs to remember this. Scammers/hackers can work for you own banking corporation. Always deal with your bank in person. Evil people work everywhere, even in the least expected places.

Rest assured, we will never have a savings account at any bank from now on. As for our regular checking account, there will be only enough in there to cover our bills. The rest will be withdrawn in cash. The only bank we trust from now on is the one we have here at home. Thank God, our emergency fund we have set up is "cash at home", or the scammers would have got that, too.

 

[hd5574]

I would just bet that as times continue to get worse... that scammers will find more and more ways to try and take peoples money..
Please everyone stay safe..
Remember the banking holiday back in the 1930's and how all the people lost their money in the banks.....

 

[connie]

Hair. The eternal problem for me. I have thick hair that is curly underneath. . I don't like to fuss with my hair. Sometimes I let it grow and pull back in a low ponytail. But not too long or it gets too heavy and hurts my neck.I have, however, decided to just wear it in low ponytail from now on and be done with it. A few hot rollers and I am good to go. I have learned to cut my bangs satisfactorily. Not sure if I could cut length.
Unlike SB, I started going gray early like my Dads sister. When I was younger people people thought it was some kind of special frosting technique. Nope, just genetics.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I would just bet that as times continue to get worse... that scammers will find more and more ways to try and take peoples money..
Please everyone stay safe..
Remember the banking holiday back in the 1930's and how all the people lost their money in the banks.....

Yeah. Like us, we never thought this would ever happen to us, until it did. The scam was so sophisticated that our bank manager was shocked by it.

 

[nomifyle]

Last year I thought about selling my property with the provision we could live here until we die. DH and I got in a rare arguement about what to do with the money. I said cash in the house and he was all for putting it in the bank, plus he had ideas about spending it. I changed my mind, in the long run its my property and what I do with it is my decision. Ex had all kinds of ideas about it and thought he was entitled to part of it. It was a give from a family member and he was not entitled to any of it. As good as DH is we have different ideas about money. He doesn't think its wise to keep cash and as far as I'm concerned he's wrong. I've had to be misleading about what I have in cash and where it is. Not that he would take it but its not his business. We have been married 10 wonderful years and we agreed to keep our money separate.

 

[nomifyle]

DH turned 80 last october and he still has brown hair. What I have are silver streaks, which I like.