Comments on: Sunday Conversation #7 with Frugal Dad

By: 4 The Cause » Blog Archive » Sunday Conversation #7 with Frugal Dad

4 The Cause » Blog Archive » Sunday Conversation #7 with Frugal Dad — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:24:11 +0000

[...] Sunday Conversation #7 with Frugal Dad …relationship with your fiance, and could ultimately cause problems at … are sleeping. During the week I will typically rise around 4:30 to… [...]

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:13:18 +0000

To the anonymous questioner: you know how you wrote in to ask this question as anon? Well, guess what, if you use your insurance to pay for your psychotherapy your employer can and oftentimes will find out – then your not anon anymore! Ask yourself if you want your employer and future employers to know about it (I would think not). The only solution is to pay out of pocket for the expense. It is well worth it though if you can afford it.

By: Brett @ Personal Loan Portfolio

Brett @ Personal Loan Portfolio — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:13:56 +0000

“Do you think that psychotherapy is a good personal and financial investment?”

If someone has an issue that is impacting their work (earning potential) or family life (potential for divorce), I would say that this would be an excellent investment.

@Marci: “I eventually got out of her [realtor] that she was unable to tell me that the other district was a bad area or anything negative.”

In my opinion, realtors are little more than taxi drivers and MLS searchers when they are trying to help you buy a house. I have used a few and was able to extract very little useful local market information because they seem to not want to say anything negative. To me, this certainly limits their value.

By: Elliott - 21st Century Dad

Elliott - 21st Century Dad — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:57:21 +0000

Frugal Dad:

What are your thoughts on disclosing details to your children about having financial difficulties? While growing up, my parents had their own business so cashflow was always suspect. They did their best to insulate us from their money woes, but they weren’t very good at hiding the stress they were under. Despite these difficulties, they did managed to scrape together money (or debt) for school-related expenses, the occasional persuasively worded request, birthday gifts, and Christmas gifts.

What’s your take on this?

By: Rene

Rene — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:32:32 +0000

If you are relocating because of a job, ask the people you are going to be working with. That is what my husband did. He started his job in March and went ahead of us and asked around about schools in the area. That was a big plus for us when deciding where to buy a house.
I agree with FD and Marci, try banks, libraries, children’s stores, or even a local gymnastics/ballet business. There are always moms sitting and waiting on their kids. You could talk to them there.

By: Marci

Marci — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:34:00 +0000

On checking out an area for relocation, if it is a small town, I would suggest getting a few copies of the local newspaper – drop in to the local library – or subscribing for awhile if you can’t visit in person. Sometimes an online version can be subscribed to that will allow you to look at the archives. In our area, following the paper for awhile, and reading the letters to the editor, would give you a decent idea of whether or not you’d want to be in that school district or not. Look for things such as funding problems and squabbles in the letters to the editor. The community section would also give you an idea of activities available for kids in the area.

By: SouthernSeven

SouthernSeven — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:17:02 +0000

When we moved we were looking at two school districts. I was trying to get people to offer opinions before buying a home but were not getting good definative information. We finally decided to stay within one district and told the real estate agent. I had asked her previously her opinion and she did not mention anything bad. When I told her that we had decided to stick in the one district she finally said she thought that was a good choice. I eventually got out of her that she was unable to tell me that the other district was a bad area or anything negative.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:53:25 +0000

Hey Frugal Dad,

For the reader questioning the merits of psychotherapy. I have been a therapist for the past 20 years – therapy does work, but it works best if you believe it will work. As for cost, I have always worked for a non-profit counseling agency. I recommend the reader check this out in his/her community. Usually, we have both paid staff and graduate students – if you are concerned about having a student, just ask for someone who has been with the agency for more than one year. Gone are the days when agencies were staffed with nice – but, unqualified – people just wanting to help – we are all educated and committed to helping others. In our agency, all staff have a minimum of a Master’s degree (I will be finishing my doctorate next month) and students are required to be enrolled in a Master’s program. Most of the paid staff also have private practices. Your local Crisis Clinic will have information about agencies in your community.

By: K.

K. — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:48:13 +0000

Yoga’s not going to help with severe anxiety, and if books were effective, wouldn’t you have gone that route by now? There’s no better investment than your health and life.

Once you get to a therapist, if you don’t feel that you’ve “clicked,” take your money elsewhere. But DO keep knocking on doors until you find someone who can help you. It’s worth the effort.

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:35:48 +0000

Thanks for your comments, Frugal Urbanite. I agree with you that for situations such as this the amount of money required to treat a particular disorder or health issue is nearly irrelevant. What matters most is your health, and your ability to go through day to day activities.