Weekend fun

This weekend I spent with Sis and Bil, who were visiting for the weekend.

Sis wanted to buy some purses and jewelry because all of those were taken when her place was broken into. Instead of hitting the mall, I took them to consignment stores. We hit five, conveniently within walking distance of each other. Bil found a really nice shirt for like $6. But his favorite buy is an Armani silk tie he found for $18. Sis found some great brands too. She didn't end up getting anything, but she's pretty psyched about visiting more consignment stores in her city.

She even more excited about find estate sales in her city. There just happen to be one going on this weekend, so I drove them by to have a look. They had a lot of fun looking at the stuff people collected. This home owner is a model train lover and had a huge track complete with miniature towns etc. We also saw some nice furniture and crystal, but nothing that we needed.

That's one thing that I'm really proud of Sis for. It's so easy to see a really good deal and want to buy it right away, even though it might not fit perfectly (like a shirt), or you don't really need it (like another dining table). But she didn't. Good for her.

A too busy to spend day

Just got home from my class. We had an in class test worth about 20%. It went ok. I got out of class early, which is nice.

Today's been pretty busy. But a good kind of busy. Not busy I need to bring my work home busy. But busy, that I barely noticed the day going by busy. Pretty happy right now with my new job.

Today I didn't spend any money because I didn't have any time to spend it. Yay!

Quick update on the aunt situation. I've talked to her, will be transferring the money directly. I decided on doing a lump sum because I takes a lot of coordinating for me to make it to a bank, and checks take time to clear, so once trip to the bank works for me.
On a side note, I know people can transfer money using e-mail, but I've never tried it. It feels a little unsafe. Not sure if that's a reasonable fear, maybe i'll eventually catch on to it like I caught on to online banking.

Back to aunt. I didn’t discuss a repayment schedule yet. I know she won't be in a position to pay me back for awhile. After school, she will taking more junior positions to break into the industry, which means she's taking a pay cut. Also, my cousin is getting close to college age, and I know she has to starting saving for that.

No matter. I just do a little reallocating. Remember I postponed buying a car in August. Now that I can walk to work, I don't really need a new car. I will just put off that purchase for awhile longer.

Calmer

Thanks all for your advice on my last post. Funnily, I told two of my friends and they said the same thing. Maybe not so funny, since I've been so use to all this weirdness that I couldn't see that the best thing is to give my aunt the money directly.

To be fair to my mother, she really does genuinely love my sister and I. She's been doing things this way since before I was born. Change is hard. Harder since she thinks she's doing what's best for everyone, which means anything I try to tell her is just me being childish and stubborn. I guess sometimes parents can't see their children as adults.

Anyway, I'm glad that I can help my aunt. $20K is a major set back in my plans. And a lot of money especially when I think about $5 pay per posts or $9/hour coffee pouring I do so I can save extra money. But I'm grateful that at least I am capable of helping her when she needs me. Worse would be not having anything to give her.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Frustrated

When I was young, about 4, my parents took my older sister and moved away to make more money and build a better life for us. Being so young, I was left to be raised by my aunt, who was very young at the time, and my grandparents. I love her and her husband like they are my parents. It’s a big long story. Let’s just say, my aunt gave up a lot for my mother and our family picking up the slack in raising me and caring for my aging grandparents. I had always expected that one day I will help them out financially.

My aunt has decided to go back to school. Something that I support fully and am willing to help in any way I can.

Yesterday, my mom asked me how long I've been working. Strange question because she knows exactly how long I've been working. Then she said I must have saved up a lot of money while working. Again, totally weird question because she sees how hard I work and save.

I told her to get to the point. Apparently my aunt has asked to borrow some money for all the expenses while she goes back to school. Mum wants me to lend it to her and not tell anyone, especially dad.

I was super annoyed. Not at lending my aunt money, but at all of mom's little games. I already know about the lying and manipulating that goes on between mum and dad when it comes to money and their families. I gave up trying to change that. What I hate is that both of them constantly put me in the middle and use me to hide things each other.

Anyway, I figured it's more important to help my aunt, so I let the whole hiding it from dad thing go.

I asked how much. She wouldn't say. Then she said expenses are about $2K a month. My aunt is going back to school for 8 months, which is $16K all together. I said how about $18K so she has a little room. Mom said:"What? Come on, you can spare $20K". I think she already had a number in mind and just wanted to manipulate me into it. When is she going to learn that I see through all her little games? I'm not doing this because she succeed in manipulating me. I'm doing this because I love my aunt.

Also, it hurts me how easily she gives away my money. I didn't even get a chance to offer it. Think of all the things I have to do to save that $20K. I guess she doesn't think it's a big deal because dad has always been generous with me and she would probably convince him to give me that money when I need it (for down payment or a car). But $20K I saved up is no strings attached money. $20K from Mom and Dad comes with strings, which she will be perfectly happy to pull.

I know it sounds bad, but every time I go through this it brings me down for a week. Here are my parents, who have been adults for many decades, why can't they just be honest and talk about things like normal people?

Oh, when I told her I will write a cheque for her to send to my aunt, she hm'd and ha'd and said to wait. It's typical behavior. She probably another little plan, which she won't tell me. It hurts my head to think what it might be. I'll just make sure the money's ready.