I Am So Ready For 2017 To Be Over
@BelleStarr (61102)
United States
December 26, 2017 5:43pm CST
Generally speaking, 2017 has been a terrible year. We lost my husband's brother and some dear friends. My mother had a very close call and we thought we were going to lose her too.
Now, I hate to talk about money but right now I am in stunned shock. We are retirees. we live on a fixed income. It is a comfortable fixed income but we are far from wealthy. I just got a call from our mechanic. we need 4 new tires, new brakes and a few other things on our Subaru before we take the big drive to Florida. It is going to be $900.
Then, the day before Christmas my laptop developed the blue screen of doom. I have windows 8.1. I am quite sure it is the issue. I took my laptop to the Geek Squad. I paid $357 to leave it there and it may be more if I have to actually pay to have windows 10 installed. I will end up with a year of service for up to three computers and a 2 TB backup.
I am in sticker shock, I am not sitting here with almost $1200 that I don't have a use for. Luckily I was able to use my credit card for the Geeks but the car must be a check or cash. That will put a serious dent in my checking account.
On a happy note, it will soon be 2018 and I am hoping it will be a much better year but I already know there is going to be an issue. Our state will now be taxing Pensions at a 6.9% rate if we don't file a form but no one has the forms so we are going to have to be very careful to get the correct one in there if we don't want to pay extra every month. Not being at home to get our mail means that we could miss an important notice.
Well on that happy note, I am going to have a cup of coffee and a piece of pie while I can still afford one lol
27 people like this
29 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
26 Dec 17
I am SO sorry for all that you are going through right now. I will absolutely be praying that things get better for you.
God is good-He will get you through this! 
5 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
27 Dec 17
@BelleStarr I completely understand the shock. I felt that same shock when we were homeless a few months back-only to find out He saved us from a flood at the old house!
He is a good Father. =)
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
28 Dec 17
@LovingMyBabies I am sure I will see the silver lining at some point, it just isn't here yet lol
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
I have great faith and I know he will, but in the first moment, I am just stunned at the hit my finances just took. I trust that all will be well, he never lets us down does he? Thanks for the hug.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (50988)
• Canada
27 Dec 17
Why is it when it rains it seems to just downpour?
I feel for you as we are only about a decade away from being retired ourselves.
I have a huge fear of out-living our investments, and then I read this and it makes me realize that it can happen to anyone.
Good luck with your repairs and I hope that you find the correct tax form in time.
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
I just put a call in to our accountant and hopefully he will have some answers for me. It is scary, because these are not unusual things and yes we have savings but once it comes out of the savings the chance of it ever going back in are slim to none!! Normally I can handle this sort of expense but its the day after Christmas, we all spend a little more than we should at this time of year and I just paid property taxes for the Florida house and our CT home taxes are due in January. I just feel a little overwhelmed..
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
lol Thanks for the hug, I am sure that 2018 will be a new start and a new year.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33385)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
27 Dec 17
@BelleStarr Very welcome. I hope so with my fingers and toes crossed.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10034)
• Philippines
26 Dec 17
Let us hope next year will be much better. We had our share of problems this year but also things that we are grateful for. Life will always be messy but somehow we will manage. I'm sure your resilience will also pull you through your difficulties.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
It will, I am just venting my frustration but at the end of the day we survive don't we. Money is not that important except when we need it for necessities. I hope that you have a wonderful 2018 as well.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
Thank you, me too and I hope it is a great year for you too.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Dec 17
Most years are like that, run of the mill, 2017 for us was just one issue after another and I ready for it to be over.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
30 Dec 17
I hope 2018 is wonderful year for you 
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
30 Dec 17
Right back at you, may it be the best year ever!!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
Yes hopefully 2018 will be a better year for all of us.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471421)
• Switzerland
28 Dec 17
@BelleStarr I used to love the number 17, I had great hopes for this year.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50256)
• United States
27 Dec 17
I too will be glad to see 2017 come to an end
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
28 Dec 17
I think we all need to make a pact, 2018 is going to be the best year ever.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
I knew I needed the tires so I was quite prepared for that, the brakes was unexpected but I would rather be safe for the long drive than worry or have to have it done while we are in Florida. Thank you, I was just shocked that I took such a hit in one day. I had a piece of pumpkin, well lets say I ate the filling, I didn't eat the crust.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (61155)
• Centralia, Washington
27 Dec 17
@BelleStarr I plan to make a pumpkin custard tomorrow. That's just pumpkin pie without the crust.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
28 Dec 17
Thanks Dianne, just a rough patch, it isn't like I don't have savings, I do but prefer to keep that for a real emergency
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
29 Dec 17
@BelleStarr I understand. We try so hard never to touch our savings and investments. It's for the kids when we kick the bucket. lol
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
27 Dec 17
Sorry you've had a terrible year. Hope 2018 is a way better year for you.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
Thank you and I hope that 2018 is a good year for you as well.
1 person likes this
@saritflor (3914)
• Hungary
27 Dec 17
Friend I do wish for you things get better in all aspects for the new year
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
Thank you, I am very sure that they will, this is just a momentary setback!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
27 Dec 17
8.1 ruined this desktop, but I only paid $200 and had it wiped and put back to 7, that has been a couple of years. I had 8.1 on my old laptop, oops it updated to 10, then kept updating until it totally killed it, blue screen, etc. I bought a new notebook with 10 already on it. Cars, and computers, they can eat you alive.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
They certainly can and now I just had to spend another $127 to pay for windows 10, I needed to buy a copy. This is going to be the most expensive laptop ever. lol
@snowy22315 (180818)
• United States
27 Dec 17
Yes, bad things like that seem to happen when you can least afford them! It would be cheaper to buy a new laptop and just have data transferred to it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
29 Dec 17
Well as it turns out I had to buy a new one. My problem was I needed the data that I had on that computer. It was a very expensive lesson and I won't make the same mistake again, I now will have everything in the iCloud.
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Dec 17
It's always something. I quit driving a couple of years ago. Well timed because soon after that I found out I have a cataract. Hope things are better for you in the new year.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
27 Dec 17
@BelleStarr ......I budget three months ahead and just do the best I can. I feel I am better off than some folks too.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
27 Dec 17
I should not be complaining, I really have it much better than many folks but gee wiz I will be broke until spring!!
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112875)
• El Paso, Texas
29 Dec 17
What a relief @BelleStarr I did get a raise in my SS so I'm thinking prices will be going up on everything.
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
29 Dec 17
No and this is a state tax in Connecticut not a federal tax, and no to SSI just to private pensions which both my husband and I have.
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15022)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
27 Dec 17
Sounds like my 2016. Though this year was mixed too. Sorry it has been such a crummy year, Iz. I hope you'll have a blessed and happy 2018 @BelleStarr and please have a piece of pie for me.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
28 Dec 17
lol I am hoping for the best year ever!! in 2018. I mayb e will have one more bite of pie but no crust lol
1 person likes this
@civileng1900 (74)
•
27 Dec 17
I hope that the year 2018 will be a good and happy year for you.
You must be optimistic
1 person likes this
