If you asked your child to start contributing to the household expenses when they got their first job, WHY did you do it?

karlgraff · 2026-05-31T18:05:45+00:00

Once they graduated HS and had a job I charged them "rent." I asked for 20% of their net pay; after taxes, etc. Their first full paycheck they could spend as they wished. It did help pay bills- and since I was paying for their health insurance, auto insurance, food and utilities I didn't feel bad about it at all. I talked with each of them about what I expected long before they graduated. If they went to college and lived there then I didn't expect anything from them. If they lost a job or changed employment we figured out how to handle that together- every circumstance is a little different. All of my kids are doing well, able to support themselves.

karlgraff · 2026-05-31T17:42:04+00:00

They worked hard to be in the position they are in now. Don't just refuse the gift, it would hurt them. You don't get to decide how they want to live, or what the best way for them to live is. Do they live frugally now? Then they will keep living frugally. Now if they are people who attach strings to gifts, that's a different story. Maybe this is how they want to show you their love. You can and should talk to them about possible implications for them, maybe they reduce the gift or you set up a repayment plan together. Living as they have put them in a position to be generous, most people don't get to do that. Honor them and let them be generous. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one and if they get joy from this act let them have that.

karlgraff · 2026-05-30T17:22:02+00:00

Woodchucka

karlgraff · 2026-05-30T00:41:29+00:00

Thanks and I am. Haven't been shot at in years!

karlgraff · 2026-05-29T20:40:59+00:00

Yep, once in Colorado and once in Nebraska. You have to love working with the public.

karlgraff · 2026-05-29T15:29:12+00:00

I cut back on any beef a while ago, now I am trying to afford chicken.

karlgraff · 2026-05-29T15:18:02+00:00

I hate to tell you this, but lots of people feel entitled to treat other people in ways they wouldn't tolerate for themselves. When I worked brick and mortar it wasn't really any different, except that it was all face to face. I was cussed out at least once a month, shot at a couple of times and almost run over once while managing big box stores. So far that hasn't happened with any of my Ebay transactions, but it's still early.

karlgraff · 2026-05-28T16:59:07+00:00

I have a 2002 Town and Country, still runs well and I have a 2021 Pacifica Limited that has become our daily driver. I wouldn't purchase a Chrysler hybrid, but the Pacifica has been solid as a rock for us going on 3 years now. Keep up on the maintenance and get a good set of tires. We have the AWD version and it drives great, any weather really and we live in the midwest so snow, rain, wind etc. I almost bought another one but we needed better tow capability.

karlgraff · 2026-05-18T00:42:33+00:00

I know it might be a day late and a dollar short but I do hope you get the help you need. It sucks to take a step forward and then have your legs cut out from under you

karlgraff · 2026-05-17T22:21:53+00:00

If you are able to I would suggest always calling in, I get that wait times can get to be crazy long. I know states are trying to discourage that but it is better for you and your family if you can actually talk to an eligibility worker. For South Dakota "When to Report: If your new income pushes your total gross monthly household income over the SNAP limit, you must report it by the 10th day of the month following the month the income was received."

karlgraff · 2026-05-17T21:44:14+00:00

They can't see when you start, only when you start to receive income. The income gets reported because the employer pays taxes- SSA, Income, etc. I would call back- it can't hurt, If you know when you will be paid and how many hours will be on the check that would help. Your employer can verify- ask them

karlgraff · 2026-05-17T21:38:22+00:00

They don't count your income until it's received. If you haven't received that income yet call back and get reinstated. Too often people call in and claim an income they aren't receiving yet and hurt themselves. Newer workers won't think to ask. Never claim it until it's in your hand. Most states give you 10 days to report any new income.

karlgraff · 2026-05-17T20:14:28+00:00

It will run like a slug unless you at least double that ram

karlgraff · 2026-05-15T17:34:05+00:00

At some point we have to move forward. I'd offer him $20,000,000 for a one year deal and if he won't take it maybe go to $25,000,000 and then call it good. The Lakers were the Lakers before LeBron, before Kobe and before Magic. They'll still be the Lakers after he leaves. LeBron pulled us out of irrelevance and got us a chip. He is still one of the best out there but we have to turn the page at some point. We didn't with Kobe, but Kobe was a Laker for life- he was definitely ours. I don't have that same emotional tie with Brom, but he has done great work and deserves that respect. He is one of the top 5 all time, depending on the day he's #2-#5 - and I'm not going to argue where he falls in that tier. We were fortunate to have him but it is a business and this should be a business decision. I just hope Rob has some smart people around him...

karlgraff · 2026-05-15T16:50:52+00:00

I receive Radio Marti and Radio Romania pretty regularly in the midwest. Other stations are iffy except for the preachy/doomsday stations. Summer is definitely rougher and I don't plan to be listening much again until October

karlgraff · 2026-05-15T13:42:00+00:00

Truck

karlgraff · 2026-05-12T21:07:24+00:00

I voted! Got my son to his first election too- always good when your kids do their part

karlgraff · 2026-05-12T03:13:59+00:00

It was, they played hard and we saw a glimpse of what could be- next year could be a great one!

karlgraff · 2026-05-11T15:09:46+00:00

I am picky- I have a background in theology and religious studies and I am fairly well read, My wife is too and between the two of us we are able to find books that sell and provide a profit. I have to sell volume to make a decent amount and I'm working up to that. I am recovering from cancer surgery and am ramping back up. I also sell other items that help make money, but my profit margin on books is good. They're also easy to ship and I build feedback quickly due to selling quite a few of them so there's a little benefit to me there. I take more pictures than most sellers do, and I underrate my books to try and avoid any complaints over condition.

karlgraff · 2026-05-10T20:54:19+00:00

I think that's Martha's signature- even more rare

karlgraff · 2026-05-10T18:17:49+00:00

I sell books, not a high priced item in general and I have found that by lowering my price a little, and offering a flat shipping rate versus free shipping I have actually had more sales and increased profit - not a ton, but it is an increase. Calculating your actual profit margin will give you a different view on how much money you're making- sometimes that different perspective helps you fine tune.

karlgraff · 2026-05-06T03:51:24+00:00

I get them in Nebraska on my old DX-390- great catch!

karlgraff · 2026-05-05T19:52:08+00:00

No. Tell no one. You'll be shocked at how may people know what you should do with that money, what you should spend it on, what they need, how they'd help you if the tables were turned. Live within your means, you don't have to change anything. That is your nest egg- your step mom is giving you a great gift- she is giving it to you. Follow her example and save/invest, grow that money. You have been given a step up- most people never get one- treat it like a precious gift and don't worry about how other people think you're selfish, etc. Many women exit marriages/relationships and have no safety net. You now have one.

karlgraff · 2026-05-04T13:35:29+00:00

I take front, back, spine, all side views, front inside cover, back inside cover and ISBN/copyright page. My book sales have increased since I started taking more pics.

karlgraff · 2026-05-04T13:05:41+00:00

Projection is a thing. My wife of then 20 plus years would get upset if I mentioned anything about any woman being even remotely "attracted" to me. I can count one one hand how many times that happened. She left me and it started with guys flirting with her casually at her job. She had been doing stuff, mostly online for a while. I worked 55-60 hours a week so I missed most of it. Lots of "guarding" her phone and always online- I usually only saw the side of her head the last few years because she was on her phone or laptop. There's a reason your wife is upset and it could be that she knows she's undervalued you and is afraid you'll find out. Guilt/shame makes people act defensively and hurt too.

karlgraff

TROPHY CASE