The Financial FOUR

Is this the week of a full moon? I am not sure that the last week has really been weird. I think that is the only word that is appropriate. In the last seven days, I have had four requests asking for financial assistance.

The first text message was for help with a down payment for a car. She stated that she would pay me back next week when she got paid. Later, I found out that she was purchased an Acura TSX.
I have been burned by this statement before so I hold no truth to this. I responded with a very polite no.

The next day, the second request came as a text message and this friend asked to borrow (an undisclosed amount) money since she just moved back to the area from North Carolina and funds were night. As before, I didn’t respond because I have a hard core rule about asking for money via text. See Texting Etiquette. However, this situation disturbed me slightly because I offered HER a FREE place to reside while she got on her feet and she denied me because she said I lived too far. I get it..ok. But I offered you what I could AFFORD at the time--stability (a roof over your head, running water, and electricity) not financial assistance.

Two days later, I receive a text message from a family relative in South Carolina asking to borrow $50 until next week (See a pattern?). Staying true to my rule I didn’t respond, but I wondered 1) Was I supposed to wire her this money? 2) When she paid me back, was she going to include the wire charge? I am confident that I know the answer to these questions.

Immediately, I began to pray. I wondered what type of test/challenge was God preparing me for. If you read my blog regularly, you understand that I am a cheap skate and very frugal with my money. I am thankful for what I have but I strive to be wise in my financial decisions. Apparently, those on the outside take this as a front and do not believe that I am financially strapped when I say that I am.

In the past, I often commented that no one ever asked me for money. I assumed that meant that everyone understood I was in this struggle with them and did not have much disposable income. Sheesh! That theory went right out the door with spandex jeans.

So if you are keeping up, you realize that I only mentioned three so far. My fourth, and I pray my last, encounter came from an old colleague of mine. She actually CALLED! I don’t speak to her often so when she called my house phone, cell phone, house phone, and cell phone (in that order) , I knew that she wanted SOMETHING. A woman’s intuition is seldom wrong. She proceeded to give me a sob story about her cable and then closed with “So can I borrow $178 until...(you fill in the blank)?”. Yep, that’s right, NEXT WEEK!!!

All I could do at this point was chuckle. I explained to her that I wasn’t laughing at her struggle but I was really beginning to believe that this was my test. God, why me? Seriously, why?

I don’t wish to turn my friends down when they are in need, but money for a cable bill is just taking our friendship for granted. Do you know how long I went without cable in my life?? Cable is NOT a necessity. EVER!

You must agree, last week I entered the Twilight Zone...

Office Etiquette

This is my first time working in a cubicle setting and I must say…I don’t like it. Even though I blog about my life, I still consider myself a fairly private person. When in an office cubicle setting, your business is not your own. In the spirit of Emily Post etiquette lessons, I have created a few ways in which one should conduct oneself to remain courteous and respect to co-workers. Please feel free to add on to this list.

1. Speak when entering a room. You were taught manners; please don’t shame your parents.

2. Not to contradict number one, but please don’t speak pertinent business to someone (ME) on the way to their (MY) desk. You should allow this person to get to their desk, put down their pocketbook, and turn on their computer.

3. If you send me an email, you do not have to come to my desk to ask if I received it. Please trust that the Internet/server/world wide web will do its magic and I will receive it in less than 30 seconds.

4. Do not bring fish to lunch. Period.

5. Use your inside voice when talking on the phone. Your co-workers do not care to know the personal affairs in your life.

6. Casual Friday does not justify wearing skinny sweatpants. Don’t mess it up for everyone!

7. Those who gossip to you, will gossip about you. Do not participate in office gossip or rumors.

8. Keep personal and work life separate. No matchmaking, no dating co-workers, and no hanging out with them on weekends. Trust me. This is best.

9. Don’t hover while a co-worker is on the phone or typing a personal document. Leave a note and they will get to you when they are free and available.

10. Mute your cell phone. No one wants to hear Khia “My Neck, My Back” every 15 minutes when your phone rings.

Texting Etiquette

Texting has become the norm for most individuals with a cell phone. So much, so that picking up the telephone to have a conversation has become taboo. In my short life, I have witnessed so many inappropriate information shared via text messages. I searched google to see if Emily Post has ever addressed this issue. Since I couldn't find anything relating the the texting subjects, I decided to give Emily a heads up. Below are the No-No's...

1. Emergency situation (house on fire, hospitalization of anyone, stolen car)

2. Asking for financial assistance

3. Asking for favors that are time sensitive

4. Informing a guy that he is now a father

5. Ending a romantic relationship/Divorce

6. Telling a partner about your STD status (positive or negative)

7. Booty text (texting late night hours asking for a forbidden sexual act)

8. Marriage proposals

9. Sad news (chronic illness, death)

10. Confidential/private business-related matters

Can you think of anything else I might have missed?