There are some days that no matter how hard I try to shake it, I can’t get over feeling grumpy. Today? One of those days for sure.
First, it was pretty much confirmed for me today that Aaron’s contract job is gone. On Sunday he found out that the contract ended two days before. Last week he was told the contract had been extended into April. But the company changed its mind and told his manager on Friday that they were shutting down the (still not complete) project.
This abrupt ending has me frazzled as I now need to reassess our finances and go back to full-out survival mode on an unemployment check income. I’ve been building a cushion with the income we’ve had the past few months, so I’m not freaking out with worry, but throwing off my financial plans makes me…grumpy.
And then in the mail today, I received a change of terms from our credit card company. You may have heard about American Express offering some clients $300 to close their accounts, or other credit card companies handing out gift cards in exchange for paying off accounts and closing them? Well, this company (*cough*CapitalOne*cough*) decided to go a different, less friendly, route to shore up its financial situation by raising the interest rate on our always-current, long-standing account from a fixed 8.9% to 17.9%!
The letter even explains that we’ve done nothing wrong – the only reason for the change is “extraordinary changes in the economic environment.” We may not have any income, but we do still have excellent credit, so seeing our interest rate nearly double on a balance that I now cannot wait to pay off entirely makes me…grumpy.
Tonight I’m going to take my frustrations out by doing the 30 day shred again. It’s better than spooning my way to the bottom of a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.
In the meantime, if you’ve got a link to something funny, I’m really looking for a little humor right now.
Grumpy.
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Edit: I’m still looking for laughs, but I did remember one thing that always cheers me up. This guy never gets old.
I’m so with you. I had a long list of frustrations listed on my blog today…and I’ve thought of about 10 more things I could add.
I had a list of crazy and frustrating moments today too! Things always seem to erupt mid-week at my work…it seems like almost every week.
I don’t have any good funny links, but I know that working out always makes me feel better when I am stressed or down, but alas I am stuck doing homework all night….
I love Benny Lava — that is one of the best vids out there.
And even better? As I was watching it (thanks!) one of my kids said “Hey mom, remember Alvin and the Chipmunks?” So there’s that.
I’m sorry about the money situation. It really sucks these days. xoxoxo.
I had BofA do that to me with the credit card. I would find another card that you could transfer the balance for say 15 months 0% APR.
That video was worth it…
Sorry about the job situation. Hope it turns around soon…
I am just grumpy for the sake of being grumpy it seems because this would make me pissy not just grumpy, lol
Capital One did that to me, too. I’ve had the card for at least six years, never missed a payment, and I think only carried a balance for one, maybe two months. Ninety-nine percent of the time I pay it off in full when it’s due: 1)Because I don’t use it for much and 2)It’s always had about a 17% interest rate. Now — because of “economic conditions” — they jacked it up to 29.4%. Where are my scissors?
Benny Lava is great. You have to go see the sleep walking dog on Dooce if you need a laugh. That totally cracks me up.
I went and transferred a balance on a card recently to get a better rate too. If you can, I would do it. Also, call all of your credit card companies and ask them for lower rates, you might get lucky.
Ugh, I’m sorry to hear about the job and the credit card thing. Both suck.
Here’s some links, one funny and one just lovely.
http://tinyurl.com/bbbu3x
http://tinyurl.com/895qrd
Sorry your day sucked. Here’s one to cheer you up. Seriously, you’ll be ROFLMAO.
http://cokeonmykeyboard.blogspot.com/2009/03/vaginal-what.html
That sux! At least call the credit card co and ask them if they can keep your rate low. Longstanding customer, unemployed, yadda yadda. Practice: “May I speak to a supervisor, please?”
Or there’s always Discover. They may not be accepted at 100 percent of venues but they seem like they’re trying harder.
That’s an enormous interest rate change. It would certainly make me more than grumpy.
Just hang in there, things will get better =)
Credit card companies need to be arrested for mugging. That’s just crappy.
I don’t know exactly why this has been the funniest thing on earth to me lately (it’s been around the net block a few times), but it has:
http://failblog.org/2009/02/02/mugshot-fail/
I’m with you on the unemployment. And I’m with you on the credit card creeps. I guess that makes me with you on the grumpy, too.
I’m so sorry you have to go through that again. I’m crossing my fingers, sending good luck, and even praying a little. Whatever works to send some good news your way!
I’ve had several cards that just decided to lower the credit line arbitrarily.
Hmm, something funny . . . did you see my video post today?
hon, I am so sorry that you are feeling down. With all that is going on it is totally understandable. If you need an ear you know where to find me.
Our credit card company did the same thing. Raised our interest rate, blamed the economy. Not only have we never missed a payment on that card, but in fact, most months we don’t even carry a balance.
I am really mad about it.
We should stage a Twitter protest or something. I understand that the credit card companies are hurting in this economy, but this is just going to make people like me who are good credit card users use credit cards less often, and make people who are behind on their debt less able to pay it. It’s a stupid business move long-term.
Girl I hear you! Unfortunatley, more often than not, that’s the life of a contractor. I’ve had gigs end on me like that more often than not.
On the bright side, now Aaron has established that he has experience doing contract work and completed a contract, companies will be more ready to hire him for future work.
I think it’s just one of those weeks for us all… how bout I come out there and we will have a beer and prank call the unnamed credit card company? *cough*capitolone*cough*
I just keep telling myself that somethings gotta give. It’s got to.
Call discover, they probably have a balance transfer option if you open a new card. I got something in the mail 5.9% till 2012 I think. Then close the Capital One card. You might get somewhere if you call and complain, and ask to be transferred to the account retentions department, although maybe not. Citi did that to us, and thye told me I couldn’t get less than 13.9%. Whatever. Interest rates to the card companies are at an all time low, there is no reason for them to charge me that much except for greed.