Hi all! Just popped in to see if Nilly & Shir had posted. So glad to hear from both of you!

then I have had a very strange day.

I had a root canal down this morning. Not too bad, the tooth was dead under it's crown, so the dentist took all the death residue out after drilling a hole in the crown. then he patched the crown. It's still a bit tender for chewing but this will pass.

Just as I was checking out from the dentist, I got a phone call from the Netherlands. It was really from HR, they left a message and I called them back on a US line. My job is being discontinued. It ends at the end of April. Technically it's not a firing thing, because I can apply for another position in the company.

I have been thinking more and more lately about retiring. I'm 70, and can't keep up with the pace anymore. I told the person who called me about the job ending that I have been thinking about retiring any way.

She advised me to go through the separation process because it's a good amount of money I get just for leaving semi-voluntarily. and then go through the retirement process. this is something I will be asking more questions about.

Frankly, this is almost a blessing. But, the reason I have kept working is because of a large credit card debt. I could use some advice if anyone has any.

It's one card, and I have been paying back a small loan since 2009. it took me a long time to get a job that would allow me to pay more off. but it hasn't been enough. I've been paying the card $500.00 a month for years. and the total of the fees & interest have blown up to around $20K. So that's the big problem I have been stupid about for years.

I already collect SS, and that all goes into savings. I have a small 401K, and an undetermined Pension.

I've asked my brother and sister about financial advisement, and they came up with no suggestions. I haven't told them about the debt. None of their business. it's my problem to deal with.

I also want a rebate on all the fees and interest. I haven't used the card since the loan. I feel like they owe me some of it back but that is just wishful thinking.

I had to tell someone about this, so, as usual, my dears, it had to be you. I haven't' made a single meat space friend since I moved here. My brother and the one of my sisters live hear, but I don't trust them anymore. Another long story.

Thank you for being here, so I do have somewhere to go to rant about this. I have to sign off soon. Work in the morning.

Progressive Dumpling Dinner describes it pretty well! It was nice, though, glad I went. Infinitely more driving than I usually do on a Wednesday, though, and at least double my normal commute, so now I’m tired. But full of yummy dumplings. No, I feel compelled to clarify, roots. As far as I know.

{{{quester}}} I have no advice, but I am hoping there is something you can do to get out from under that. And I’m sorry you don’t trust your siblings, that can’t feel good.

Quester, I’m sorry about the family, work, and debt concerns. I would recommend finding a financial advisor. Perhaps the credit card debt could be converted to a lower interest/lower fee loan loan that would enable you to pay it off more quickly and easily. A financial advisor would be able to weigh in on that and probably know about other options. I believe what you want is a fiduciary advisor, specifically, as they’re supposed to work with your best interests in mind, rather than being paid to sell you specific investments.

Man, I wish I had a root and some dumplings.

Bwahahaha.

Quester I'm sorry you're dealing with this right after dental surgery! I think most financial advisors would say to pay off the credit card if the interest is higher than the returns you're getting out of savings but that advice assumes you have enough of a cushion to make that choice.

Quester, my alumni credit union gave me access to a consolidation loan that saved me a bundle in interest and allowed me to pay off credit card debt pretty quickly.

I've always said that if I retired I'd spend a few months watching every great movie I never got to watch. I sorta did that during COVID.

Quester, I think if consolidation is possible, that would be the way to go. Though I am the worst person in the world to ask for financial advice.

A Progressive Dumpling Dinner sounds like a wonderful idea. There's a place in San Diego that has all you can eat dumplings which almost makes me willing to drive there to try them.

Quester, I'd recommend finding a nonprofit credit counseling organization, because they're able to get your interest charges and fees lowered, along with other assistance: [link] [link] [link]

All you can eat dumplings sounds very dangerous. I would probably need to be forceably removed

Minor annoyance of the day - the grain bowl I had delivered for lunch is missing the avocado and dressing I ordered, and there doesn't seem to be any way for me to give feedback to the restaurant (and get my $2 back for the avocado they didn't give me) without it rebounding onto the DoorDash driver (who biked through freezing slush and deserves all the stars).

(I can't get anyone to pick up the phone, they keep redirecting me to their website which only gives me the option of giving feedback to DoorDash. But DoorDash isn't the one who fucked up my lunch! Grr!)