Longest Unemployed?

This got me thinking from the comments. What's the longest amount of time you've been unemployed? I will probably post a poll as well.

I've only been unemployed 2 weeks. After college I had a job lined up. Then when I switched jobs and got layed off I had another job lined up to start that Monday after. I never had a problem finding a job.

Now sometimes the jobs weren't glamourous, I've waited tables, sorted mail, and worked retail. But they were jobs and they paid something. One of the fastest ways to get a job is through a temp agency. They often can hire you within the week.

What's the longest stint of unemployment?

Christmas Budget Poll:

Well the poll for Christmas budget closed. It was interesting. It appeared that 10 people spend between $100-$500, while 13 people spend between $500-1000 for Christmas. That equals to 31% and 44% respectively. So the bulk of people fall into this category. I wonder if the majority of these voters fall between $250-750?

Also 3 people spend less than $100 and and equal number of people spend above $1000. This equals to 10% of voters.

I fall into the $500-1000 category for everything. I guess I'm in the median/average number. Do you think this is high?

Poll Votes: How many CC do you have?

The results are in. Most people (15, 71% of voters) have between 1-2 cards. A few (3, 14% of voters) have no credit card. An equal number have between 3-4 cards (3, 14% of voters). And no one appears to have more than 5 credit cards.

I believe I have more than 5 credit cards. Admittedly I use pretty much two cards, one mastercard and an american express for Costco. But I have never cancelled the other cards we have. I know we have a discover card, best buy, home depot, and Jordan's credit card. I'm not sure if we have any more. Since we don't use them I probably should call and cancel them and make sure no charges have been made. But laziness ensues where I don't feel like taking the time to cancel the cards or look for them. I also need to pull my credit report.

Poll: Lying to a spouse

72% of people say they never lie to their spouse about finances and 27% say just a little lies to their spouses. Very interesting. No one actually admitted to lying to their spouse.

I find that strange because there are many people who are in debt, and say their spouse refuses to listen or participate. On the Women In Red message board, there are women who hide their debt from their spouses. Often afraid of letting their spouses know the real truth.

For example, on Oprah this past week there was a woman $135k in debt. Yep you read that right, not a mortgage, but CC debt. And her husband had no idea. He had ignored their finances and left them entirely to her. So is it considered lying or denial on the part of the husband?

So I find it great that most people don't lie to their significant others. So if you have debt then your SO knows all about it?

Personally I think DH and I both tell over/underestimation of costs. We never sit there and lie but we do forget to metion some expenses etc. But nothing big, anything over $20 we discuss. But the details are sometimes fuzzy.

New Poll: Lying to a significant other?

The question is whether you tell financial lies to a significant other? Most people I guess will say no. However I wonder if it's really true or it depends on how you define lie?

In general I would have to say I don't lie to my spouse. However, I do sometimes get the numbers wrong and hence I do think I tell white lies to my spouse about our finances. Like what?

Well I bought this shirt for $8.99, I might say $10. Or I got a haircut for $40, but it was $42. Just sort of a rounding of numbers. I noticed my DH does it as well, he'll round up and down and be in the ballpark of the number. However later I might see the charge or he'll see the charge and ask why is it $X?

Is that a lie or just a slip of the tongue? Is it important? Should we be counting every penny and accounting for it?

Also is not telling your significant other the $ amount a lie? Where I go grocery shopping and he knows I went or sometimes not, and never realizes what I just bought? Should I say I went shopping this evening and spend $40 (more likely $37.xx). Or is it just water under the bridge?