Over the weekend, I was exiled from the Internet. I’m not sure what happened but Comcast decided that it didn’t like our house and pulled the signal from our house. We thought it was because of the weather and it wasn’t until the paltry snowstorm stopped that we realized it was not at all weather related. It was us. So we called and eventually, our service was restored. Hooray for being de-exiled!
While I was sitting in exile, a meme starting going around. I don’t know where it originated but I got a tweet from my friend John at Married with Debt letting me know that I’d been tagged. I’ve never been one for tag–mainly because it involves running–but I figured I’d play along this time. After all, the rules seemed simple enough:
#1 – Post these rules.
#2 – Answer the 11 questions from the person who tagged you.
#3 – Create 11 new questions for the people you tag.
#4 – Tag 11 people and link them to your post.
#5 – Let them know that you tagged them.
Those rules seemed simple enough and, best of all, no running! This is a kind of tag I like! So let’s see what lurks inside my mind:
- What is your money philosophy in one sentence? Never, ever forget what debt did to you and don’t ever let that happen again.
- Have you ever had a crazy adventure? If so, describe. Well, yes, as a matter of fact I have had numerous crazy adventures. One of them lasted 7 days and was called “My Spring Break in Cancun”. In an effort to keep this site relatively PG, I’m going to leave it at that.
- Did you get an allowance as a child? I did and I didn’t. Until I was about 15 or so, I did receive a formal allowance. Then my parents just started giving me a set amount of money each week as I was my little sister’s permanent babysitter. I babysat whenever they told me and received compensation for it. Once we had this arrangement in place, I stopped being paid for all of the other chores for which I had previously received an allowance.
- Name the most famous person you’ve ever met. Adam Sandler. When I was a freshman in college, I was part of a group that hosted concerts and Adam Sandler was one of the performers. I was on the hospitality committee so I got to hang out backstage with him. For the record, he’s weird
- What is the biggest financial problem facing America today. Lack of personal responsibility. Yes, the banks and big industry and Wall Street and whatever are a problem. But when people fail to take responsibility for their situations, nothing is ever going to improve. We can pass laws regulating and controlling industry but we can’t pass legislation forcing people to stop spending more than they earn. Until more people start owning up and accepting accountability for the bad financial situations they’re in, our economy will not change (I could go on and on about this).
- What did you most want to be when you grew up? A writer. Of plays and books. My mother actually recently reminded me that I promised my 5th grade teacher that I would dedicate my first book to her. I probably should get working on that book, then…
- What is your most embarrassing guilty pleasure? Well, I would say hair bands but if you’ve seen any of my Money Tune Tuesdays, you know that I’m not exactly embarrassed by that. This is actually a hard question for me because I’m not embarrassed by anything that I read or watch or listen to. I like what I like and I’m not ashamed.
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Washington DC. Seriously. It’s my absolute favorite city in the world and my only regret in life is choosing to work in Philadelphia over Washington DC. It’s a long story as to why and I’ll explain it someday. But if you want a better, more exotic answer, I’ll say…Aruba. Because it’s beautiful and almost never rains.
- What is your biggest financial pet peeve? I have to pick just one? And is this a pet peeve for myself or in others? I’ll go with others. I hate when people say that their broke only it’s a convenient broke. As in, they’ll spend $8K on a TV but when you ask to split a restaurant bill or a mutual gift, they tell you that they can’t because they’re broke.
- What do you think the biggest news story of 2012 will be? Honestly, I have no idea. I’m a news junkie but because things just happen, the biggest news story of the year is really hard to predict.
- If you found out you had 6 months to live, what would you do with your life? It’s interesting that John asked this question because I was just watching Biloxi Blues the other day and they play a similar game. On the other hand, I hate questions like this because I’m painfully afraid of death. But I’ll be a good sport and answer. If I had 6 months to live, I’d travel to all the places I want to go, take in as much time with my family as possible and create a blog/YouTube channel a la My Life, giving my daughter instructions and commentary for all the situations I’ll miss. I’d write a book for her, chronicling my life and our family history so she’d have that. I’d eat everything I’d ever want to, read books that I’ve never gotten around to and watch movies that I’d always wanted to see. I’d sleep as little as possible to get it all done.
I’m not going to tag 11 people because my exile completely left me out of the loop and I don’t know who’s already been tagged. Instead, I’m going to ask 11 questions and you can either respond in the comments or write your own post. If you do write your own post, make sure you add a link in your comment or email or tweet the link to me and I’ll do a round-up this weekend to all of your answers.
Now, here are my 11 questions:
- What is the one item you like to splurge on?
- Do you buy books or use the library? Why?
- If you were to lose everything tomorrow, what is your back-up plan?
- If you were to win the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money?
- Who would win in a fight—Wayne or Garth?
- If you could eat one crayon color, which one would it be?
- What is your opinion on dogs wearing coats?
- How do you plan to teach your kids about money?
- What is one hidden talent that you have? Would you exploit it for money if you had to?
- Do you approve of the designated hitter position?
- Which president not currently on money do you think belongs on money? Which denomination would you put him on?
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[…] I am too lazy to come up with an original post today, I’m answering these questions from Jana over a Daily Money $hot. I’m being extra lazy and not even posting the rules of the […]
Ughhh I hate that also when people say they’re broke, but they’re not and then they expect you to pay.
Michelle recently posted…Spending, Life, Income and Food Updates… 2/13/2012
I just can’t stand when people lie about being broke. I want to tell them “I know you’re not so pony up your share”. Of course I don’t and just complain about it behind their backs most of the time.
I think lack of personal responsibility is the biggest problem facing America in all facets, including financially. It drives me crazy in my small world of being a SAHM trying to parent our kids to be disciplined and take responsibility for their own actions. The world has gone crazy blaming everyone else except for the person in the mirror! Stepping off my soap box…
anotherhousewife recently posted…12 Years Ago Today…
No, please stay on your soapbox. I think you make an important point. People are so quick to blame others for their problems that they refuse to look at the primary source. If I’m nothing else, I’m accountable for my decisions and actions.
I hate the convenience broke people they fall with the I owe you but look with I bought from best buy. I like the tag that doesn’t involve running. Nice questions.
Thomas – Ways to Invest Money recently posted…8 Basic facets of business management
Great answers. Here’s my rapid fire response:
What is the one item you like to splurge on?
Travel.
Do you buy books or use the library? Why?
Buy. I’m lazy.
If you were to lose everything tomorrow, what is your back-up plan?
Move somewhere foreign and hit complete reset.
If you were to win the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money?
Depends on how much. Over a million? Retire. Actually, over a half million and I’d retire. Otherwise pay off my house and save the rest.
Who would win in a fight—Wayne or Garth?
Neither.
If you could eat one crayon color, which one would it be?
Burnt sienna.
What is your opinion on dogs wearing coats?
Against.
How do you plan to teach your kids about money?
Through elimination challenges. Actually not sure. Probably a work-for-allowance model.
What is one hidden talent that you have? Would you exploit it for money if you had to?
I exploit all my talents so none are hidden!
Do you approve of the designated hitter position?
Absolutely not.
Which president not currently on money do you think belongs on money? Which denomination would you put him on?
I recently learned President John Tyler, born in 1790, still has LIVING grandsons. Blew my mind. For that, he gets to be on the penny.
John | Married (with Debt) recently posted…Thought Leader: What Makes One?
Thanks for your responses, John. Although I’m curious to know why you think neither Wayne nor Garth would win in a fight…
I’m picturing it as a movie, and for some reason, in my head they both knock each other out with a simultaneous face punch. Not sure why…
John | Married With Debt recently posted…Thought Leader: What Makes One?
I too hate when people say they are broke but then do something brainless. I knew a girl who took out a second mortgage on her mother’s house because she told her she was broke. Then said girl bought a brand new car and treated herself to a shopping spree on new clothes. Money problems and personal responsibility are so mish-mashed with some people. They don’t know which end is up!!!
Mackenzie recently posted…Financial Stress
How was she able to get a second mortgage on her mother’s house? Where was the mother through all of this?!
People like that both frighten and amaze me.
Her mother applied for and got the 2nd mortgage. Can you believe it? Ridiculous!!!! And to top it off, this girl complained a month later that she was broke again! Oy vey!
Mackenzie recently posted…Financial Stress
1.What is the one item you like to splurge on? Travel
2.Do you buy books or use the library? Why? The library, because it’s free and I literally have hundreds of books from my younger days… I’ve run out of space.
3.If you were to lose everything tomorrow, what is your back-up plan? Cry and then go and look for a job 🙁
4.If you were to win the lottery tomorrow, what would you do with the money? Give some to immediate family; Help one friend in particular with land/ home; donate some to the church; build townhouses and open a bed and breakfast
5.Who would win in a fight—Wayne or Garth? Who are they?
6.If you could eat one crayon color, which one would it be? Orange… Blame Sesame Street
7.What is your opinion on dogs wearing coats? I’m neutral to the idea
8.How do you plan to teach your kids about money? By using real lfe examples and being the best example and role model model for them
9.What is one hidden talent that you have? Would you exploit it for money if you had to? I can sing. Yes.
10.Do you approve of the designated hitter position? What’s that?
11.Which president not currently on money do you think belongs on money? Which denomination would you put him on? Not au fait with US presidents…
Dannielle @ Odd Cents recently posted…Comment on Odd Cents’ Favourite Posts of the Week – 11 February 2012 by Elle
I like your responses, Dannielle. To answer your questions: Wayne and Garth are characters from “Wayne’s World” and the designated hitter is a position in American League baseball line-ups. DHs usually are players who are powerful hitters but not so great in the field, and they typically fill the pitcher’s spot in the line-up (pitchers are not usually good hitters).
Fun! You and I are both painfully afraid of death, but is anybody not afraid of death? I also love Washington D.C. If I had money and didn’t care that I wasn’t around my family, I would like to live there.
Melissa@Mom’s Plans recently posted…The Saved Quarter Challenge, 2012, #6 – Earned $939