<p>^I saw the 60" HDTV Plasma TV at Costco and it was not that big. So 52" is not that big.</p>
<p>I used to believe that Dad II was really a parent but this thread makes me think it's just someone jerking our chains.<br>
Can't pay (deeply, deeply discounted) tuition out of monthly salary because of Caribbean vacation? But can pay it out of next month's salary? But paid a >$5000 credit card bill? Has no savings?
Get real.
If you or your kid has loans from Stanford - how do you feel about DadII not being able to pay the less than 20% his daughter was charged because of family vacations to the Islands? Where did you vacation while your kid was there? Did you buy a new fancy car and high tech goodies while claiming severe financial need?</p>
<p>The problem is that over the years he's given enough info that (should they be real kids) they should be identifiable to school adcoms and fin aid department.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>But how does one only pay $10,000/yr and still have money to go on vacation and put money away on high yield CD?>></p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>Good question.</p>
<p>
[quote]
No...if I recall, his daughter got a great package and they pay like 10k per year or something.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm still trying to figure out how one pays 10k for Stanford on a $120,000 (or thereabouts) a year income. Not begruding Dad II, but that just makes zero sense to me.</p>
<p>However, I'd like to point out that not all Carribbean vacations are luxurious. My family (4 people plus a family friend who was helping sail our boat for free) went on one 11 years ago where we charted our own small (single bedroom) boat in July. Without air conditioning. Or showers more than once a week. A once in a lifetime experience but not exactly a traditional "luxurious" vacation!</p>
<p>as always, some gave me good advise as how to deal the problem I have. Some, on the other hand, speculate and make up funny stories. </p>
<p>I guess the difference is the life style. We live very frugally the whole year, at the end, we took a relative low cost vacation. </p>
<p>Besides, why do some of you think all the $5K bill was for the vacation? Could it be my medical bill be the big part of that? The school knows us for sure - we submit all our financial documents like everyone else. We wil have not problem if they want to audit us. </p>
<p>As I have always said, we got aid because we do need it.</p>
<p>"The school knows us for sure"</p>
<p>That makes one of us - maybe.</p>
<p>although I should have known better, I kind of got caught up in a slight oversight this month regarding our monthly payment (we use Tuition Management). I had a CD come due at the end of November and made an assumption that the check would be disbursed quicker than it actually was, and I would be able to use part of those funds to make the Dec. 1st payment (we do get a grace period, but I'm not sure how long it is - I have paid up to a week or two late before and not been charged a penalty). So when the check finally arrived, I was out east helping D1 move into an apartment, then picking up D2 to bring her home for break. When the check finally came in the mail, I had H endorse it (sign my name) and deposit it. They said there will be a five-day hold on the funds. In the meantime, I knew I had two choices: either get a cash advance from our Visa card (I know there's a fee to use the Visa to pay tuition with), or risk getting charged a late fee. Although it makes things tight for a few days, we were able to make the payment from the checking account a few days late, until the CD check clears thanks to how H's payday falls this month. </p>
<p>However, it was totally MY screw up. I mistakenly made some assumptions that I should not have, including how long it would take for the check to get to me, and how long the bank would place a hold on it. Also, with H's promotion this year, he qualifies for profit sharing, and we had been told that check would 'probably' come with payday last Thursday. It didn't. But it was my fault for 'assuming' on a 'probably' comment from one of his co-workers. So the college has every right to impose on me any penalties that come my way, if any penalties show up before next month. The consequence is mine, and it is up to me to remediate it (which I did after coming up with my options). But I did get myself caught in a cash shortfall, and have to deal with the consequences.</p>
<p>By the way, right before Thanksgiving, I ordered a new kitchen table and chairs; I was told they would take 4-6 weeks to come in; I paid half then, and have to pay the balance upon delivery, in cash because I got a discount on the purchase by paying cash. I was surprised to learn when I got home from out east that the table/chairs are already ready for delivery. And as much as I would love to get it delivered this week, because of my screw up, I don't have the cash available to pay the balance this week, so I delayed delivery until next week, after all these other cash flow situations work themselves out. Our first priority is payment to the college. Other things have to wait.</p>
<p>DadII-
You must be misreading the posts here. Nobody made any guesses as to how much your vacation cost or how much your private pay medical procedure cost. But neither of those are the issue. You have a tuition bill due tomorrow and if you paid your credit card bill (whatever charges you put on them) then you have the choice to put your tuition bill on your credit card, arrange a direct internet transfer from your bank account or pay a late fee. If you weren't so vague or elusive, and didnt present inconsistent or incomplete information (eg frugal people who claim they can only pay for food and gas don't typically buy Nikon flash camera attachments and take caribbean vacations), people could possibly have more sympathy or provide more support. Seems to me the only one making up funny stories is you. </p>
<p>And question quest-
I doubt apple tours, for even its less than top-of-the-line resort packages, offers the kind of boat experience you had 11 years ago!</p>
<p>If my memory serves me correctly OP has a pattern of semi-troll posts and this one seems to be no exception. He has the money, he just has a 'cash flow' problem and wants to get away with paying little or no penalty for making a late payment. I am sure he will succeed in convincing the college to waive the late fee, because in this economy, there are probably REAL hardship cases and the colleges are probably making accommodations.</p>
<p>^^ Good point, VP. Agreed-- there are real people out there with real financial difficulties. Asking to have a late fee waived is probably small potatoes to them. However, the college could also be struggling with financial difficulties. They have the right to require the fee with two choices-- take it or leave it.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If my memory serves me correctly OP has a pattern of semi-troll posts and this one seems to be no exception.
[/quote]
Yes, yes, yes. I was absolutely certain, when DadII first started to post, that he was a troll because his initial posts seemed formulated to push every hot button CC parents have. His low (six-figure) income, all the expensive electronics and gadgets he's thinking about buying, the kid who isn't studying enough to get her SAT scores up to full-ride level, etc. I've stopped reading his threads, but when I saw this title pop up on the board, I couldn't believe what he was asking and just had to see if he really had the nerve. And he does!</p>
<p>His story has stayed relatively consistent, so it seems unlikely that he's just trying to yank our chains. How sad for his family if what he posts here reflects his actual values and behavior.</p>
<p>My advice: PAY YOUR KID'S TUITION BILL TODAY, without excuses or complaints. And don't ever take another vacation or buy another expensive gizmo until you are no longer "living paycheck to paycheck" (per post 16). You've got two very high-achieving kids, so I infer that you, too, are a smart guy. It surprises me that any intelligent parent would find himself in this situation. Putting so much money into a high-yield CD so that you don't have $5K cash on hand to cover tuition? Really? And vacations and toys are not necessary expenses. Now is not the time to enjoy them.</p>
<p>I'm also surprised (amazed, even) by the kindness and support many CC posters have extended to this guy - you are much finer folks than I am.</p>
<p>DadII - my sympathies. I know how hard it must be for you.
A few years ago when my oldest was in college and we had 3 younger ones at home, two parents worked 3 full time jobs, our income was considerably below 6 figures we had a couple of semesters we were late with that nasty tuition bill. We never quite got to booking that Carribean vacation - but I can understand your reluctance to have it interfere with your lovely daughter's college education.
D was at a private school and they were quite understanding - she was able to move in but not register for classes for next semester until it was paid in full. From what I hear, many public schools are not as "forgiving" and want the whole thing paid on time or they cancel classes.
A couple of times we took out a last minute PLUS loan to get the darn thing paid.</p>
<p>Just call financial aid and ask who they recommend - get a PLUS loan - it takes about 10 minutes and Voila! the account will be cleared. They only care about your credit rating and if your mortgage is paid up - that lovely Carribean vacation won't interfere one bit!</p>
<p>One tip - on every colleges web page they make clear when the due dates are for each semester. Knowing this will allow you to plan ahead in future years.</p>
<p>People- this is not living paycheck to paycheck. Living paycheck to paycheck is watering down the milk you put in the kids cereal in the morning, turning the heat down to 58 degrees at night, volunteering for every quarter of overtime your boss permits, especially if by working a 12+ hour shift you get a dinner voucher. You guys should spend some time in the real world if you believe that someone with a cash flow problem due to kid in private college, a CD coming due and a Caribbean vacation is living paycheck to paycheck.</p>
<p>The waitress at the local Waffle House may be living paycheck to paycheck. Her daughter is the one who stays late every week at your daughter's Girl Scout meeting to help clean up in the hopes that the troupe leader will let her take home the leftover brownies and oj so she can treat her younger siblings that night.</p>
<p>Blossom has this one exactly right.</p>
<p>This poster's questions infuriate many of us, on many levels, particularly to the true savers who did not get financial aid (because they saved their money for college, like a responsible parent earning $120K could do) and do not take Caribbean vacations or buy new electronics (while expecting the rest of the taxpayers to fund their child's education).</p>
<p>I don't care what you do about your bill, Dad II, but don't come crying to the board with all of your financial "woes". Users and takers usually get their due.</p>
<p>I haven't responded to these threads in a long while because, well, because I think you enjoys the attention, Dad II. If it's true, it really ticks me off (good deal on financial aid yet takes a Caribbean vacation. Is this one way to keep the savings account nil for FAFSA?), but I'm guessing along with many others that you do it to amuse. Yet I'm not amused, for some reason.</p>
<p>Paying off a $5000 credit card bill, taking a vacation in december and purchasing new gadgets does sound like OP is trying to spend down so that he has no "available" cash or cash on hand when he files the FAFSA in January. Paying the tuition would have netted the same spend down.</p>
<p>Hey, I just read an article last week about how families are, in some cases, refusing to cut on luxuries that are important to them, even in the face of lost jobs or income. Breakfast out on Sunday with the kids. Going out to a movie once per month. But an Island Vacation??? Are you kidding me?
Well, actually, I know a few folks in a similar boat. Going on fancy vacations during winter break (because they ALWAYS do) and the proceeding to put in new financial aid requests to thier kids colleges. Hmmm...
To the OP. Contact them to let them know the payment will be late and find out their policies on late fees. No whining about circumstances.
Next year - you might want to reconsider the vacation. Really.</p>
<p>Ah yes DadII predicament is all so silly but sybbie719 - I never thought it was devious - lol.
I would think he would want the tuition payment to be made in 2008 however so he can apply it to the Hope or Lifetime Learning or one of those credits. Maybe it is for room and board and not tuition though.
He needn't file the fafsa on Jan 1 though. He can wait - it only needs to be filed really early if you have an incoming freshman. If your kid(s) are already in college the deadline for fafsa is generally later.</p>
<p>toneranger - the bonus in always being poor is that when your kids get to college you don't have to "give up" the Island vacation, since you never had one to begin with! ;)</p>
<p>
[quote]
You guys should spend some time in the real world if you believe that someone with a cash flow problem due to kid in private college, a CD coming due and a Caribbean vacation is living paycheck to paycheck.
[/quote]
This is how DadII himself described it in post 16. Since I currently do reside in the real world, I can of course see that his cash flow problem does not mean what “paycheck to paycheck” does in less privileged families. The point is that running out of available funds for a necessary expense one knows is imminent because of a vacation and other discretionary spending means that one should probably not be vacationing/buying luxury items.</p>
<p>thank you blossom</p>