Why I'm not depositing this weekend

[Mousey]

For those of you that don't know, I usually like to play online during holiday weekends. I don't know why, but I love to put my feet up, plop my cat into my lap, open up a brew and have a go at the slots.... or video poker.

But you know what? I haven't played online in months, and rather than load my card and blow $50 in 5 - 10 minutes online, when I get off work I'm going to the store and spend that 50 bucks on food and supplies for our local animal shelter. This time of year they get a bazillion kittens (yes, I want them all, but don't have the time to raise the babies properly) and I know they need kitten chow and puppy food and cleaning supplies.

Then, after I get home, I'll pet my old cat and tell her how fortunate she is (even though she thinks I'm the one who should be grateful because she lets me feed her and live in her house), eat a bite, then take to the yard for some weeding. By the time I get back into the house I'll be so tired I won't think about anything but a nice cool shower, and sitting in my recliner and watch the Braves try to remember how to play baseball.

Tomorrow morning will be more yardwork, then an afternoon of chilling and watching more baseball. (Thank heavens I like baseball 'cause there's nothing else on TV for me these days.) Sunday morning, if not yardwork (it's supposed to rain), it will be housework. Heck, I don't have time to gamble. LOL

Just thought I'd share for those who wonder what to do with your time and money when you decide to cut back on gambling....

 

[Mousey]

I apologize for bumping my own thread but thought I'd pass this along...
The $50 for the animal shelter supplies? Let's see what it bought.

20 lb bag of dog food - $11
16 lb bag of cat food - $10
1 gal. of bleach - $2.50
6 roll pack paper towels - $6.00
12 cans dog food - $10
12 cans cat food - $11
1 bottle flea & tick shampoo - $5

And I had a $5 off store coupon.

That money did a lot more good for the animals than it would have done for me and what is usually only 10 minutes at an RTG casino.

But what (if I had deposited it) if I had won? Unlikely, but possible. I've played online over 13 years and never ever hit a RJ. I don't expect it. So let's say, I'd built that $50 into $400 ... minus casino wire transfer fee $65.... minus bank incoming wire fee $65 ... minus $2 fee to load card... minus $1 transaction fee. Sooo.... $217 cleared. ... pffttt....

And then there's 'the chase' that follows a withdrawal. I'm sorry, but even though I'm in the USA and only play accredited casinos, of the handful of withdrawals I've had in the last couple of years, there have been delays and/or snafus on all but one withdrawal. Nature of the beast? Yes. Do I have to endure it? No. I don't have the time or patience to chase down withdrawals. When you dread depositing, and even dread doing a withdrawal.... it's not fun anymore. And if it isn't fun, why do it?

added: My point here is not to toot my own horn. I don't have one. LOL My point is to encourage anyone that desires cutting back to find something to do that makes you feel good. If you can't keep the money in your wallet, put a little away toward a vacation, or your Xmas shopping, or toward a new dishwasher, or buy the hubby/wife a doodad they've been wanting, or the kids a new video game, or put it in the church coffers. Spend your time and money doing something that makes you feel better, not doing something that - in the end - makes you feel as if you've wasted both your money and your time.

 

[SubzeroWins]

I apologize for bumping my own thread but thought I'd pass this along...
The $50 for the animal shelter supplies? Let's see what it bought.

20 lb bag of dog food - $11
16 lb bag of cat food - $10
1 gal. of bleach - $2.50
6 roll pack paper towels - $6.00
12 cans dog food - $10
12 cans cat food - $11
1 bottle flea & tick shampoo - $5

And I had a $5 off store coupon.

That money did a lot more good for the animals than it would have done for me and what is usually only 10 minutes at an RTG casino.

But what (if I had deposited it) if I had won? Unlikely, but possible. I've played online over 13 years and never ever hit a RJ. I don't expect it. So let's say, I'd built that $50 into $400 ... minus casino wire transfer fee $65.... minus bank incoming wire fee $65 ... minus $2 fee to load card... minus $1 transaction fee. Sooo.... $217 cleared. ... pffttt....

do they really charge you 130 dollars for a single withdrawal? That's insane mine are free always

 

[Mousey]

do they really charge you 130 dollars for a single withdrawal? That's insane mine are free always

Methods of withdrawal in the USA are few, and vary by casino and what might work for the individual player. My illustration is for a bank wire. Yes, the last time I withdrew via bank wire it cost me $130 (the $65 casino fee, $65 bank fee for international wire). There are other methods available, but, other than check or Western Union which are less expensive but have their own drawbacks... I have to have quite a large withdrawal to make it worth the trouble, and then there's the risk of my bank 'catching on' that it's from an online casino and flagging/hobbling/closing my account. As you can tell, I'm really tired of the hassle and expense - and have been for quite some time. LOL

 

[rshkrn]

do they really charge you 130 dollars for a single withdrawal? That's insane mine are free always

WOW......that's unbelievable, even for the US!! hope there's some mistake there......

 

[Jasminebed]

Well done Mousey.

I was pleased to see you used a store coupon! I regularly coupon, and coupons for pet food are very prolific. There are a number of couponers at my coupon forum that regular make donations to shelters, and you would be amazed at how much they can get for so little. I won't send you my group, as it's Canadian, but there are many US blogs/forums too where members post where to find coupons and how to best use them. I'm sure you could easily double or maybe even quadruple the amount of donation without spending more funds. I know I only paid 34 cents for my last gallon of Javex, and I always have a coupon for paper towels and toilet paper.

You might be surprised at what other forum members will do to help you out if you are couponing for a charity. Send you envelopes full of high value coupons, or even make a cash donation. I know I regularly used to send a few paypal dollars to a woman that made gift bags of toiletries for a woman's shelter. While she got most of the toiletries for little, she did spend money on gift bags and tissue paper to make it more special for people at a low point, rather than just be handed a bottle of shampoo or a tube of toothpaste.

Coupon forums even have their own "Winner's Screenshots" section where people post pics of their hauls and grocery receipts for their "big wins"

Don't forget to ask for a tax receipt. That's like your "cashback" offer on a losing casino deposit.

 

[anniemac]

I'm not playing this weekend either. Got too much to do. We're leaving on a trip Wednesday in our travel trailer.

I sure have found a lot of things to do that don't involve sitting in front of my computer. LOL! Haven't missed it one bit.

After I found out last night that my main depositing card was compromised, I sure enough won't be depositing much, if at all.

 

[freeslot]

I hope you have a nice Sunday.

 

[Mousey]

I'm not playing this weekend either. Got too much to do. We're leaving on a trip Wednesday in our travel trailer.

I sure have found a lot of things to do that don't involve sitting in front of my computer. LOL! Haven't missed it one bit.

After I found out last night that my main depositing card was compromised, I sure enough won't be depositing much, if at all.

Enjoy your trip hon!

I'm so sorry about your card - right royal pain in the posterior. And it's been happening too often to too many players in the past year or so.

 

[cynthial]

A mouse spending her cheese to feed homeless cats and dogs?
Heavens to Murgatroyd, that is one special Mouse!

:notworthy

 

[pmutts]

Better Late than never--I can't believe I missed this thread.

Thanks Mousy,

I could not have possibly articulated your point any more effectively than you. I love them all as well and it literally sickens me when I think of all the GOOD that could have been done with the money thrown away over the past three years at RTGs.

 

[BMWSTACK]

For those of you that don't know, I usually like to play online during holiday weekends. I don't know why, but I love to put my feet up, plop my cat into my lap, open up a brew and have a go at the slots.... or video poker.

But you know what? I haven't played online in months, and rather than load my card and blow $50 in 5 - 10 minutes online, when I get off work I'm going to the store and spend that 50 bucks on food and supplies for our local animal shelter. This time of year they get a bazillion kittens (yes, I want them all, but don't have the time to raise the babies properly) and I know they need kitten chow and puppy food and cleaning supplies.

Then, after I get home, I'll pet my old cat and tell her how fortunate she is (even though she thinks I'm the one who should be grateful because she lets me feed her and live in her house), eat a bite, then take to the yard for some weeding. By the time I get back into the house I'll be so tired I won't think about anything but a nice cool shower, and sitting in my recliner and watch the Braves try to remember how to play baseball.

Tomorrow morning will be more yardwork, then an afternoon of chilling and watching more baseball. (Thank heavens I like baseball 'cause there's nothing else on TV for me these days.) Sunday morning, if not yardwork (it's supposed to rain), it will be housework. Heck, I don't have time to gamble. LOL

Just thought I'd share for those who wonder what to do with your time and money when you decide to cut back on gambling....

Nice one. I am all about supporting the animals or any other good cause. Of course there are so many people, animals, and other charities in need, but I also put my focus on a local non profit humane society. I just picked up supplies about 3 weeks ago for the first time. Normally I support via money at an event once a month. I decided to do supplies last time instead because they always have a list of things needed, but mainly because I am having an issue with the way the board spends the money, so I figure supplies are hard goods and I know they will be put to good use.

My main issue is, they do not do a good enough job organizing their events and getting people to donate. The most recent issue I had was on a recent event that was used to raise money for the organization. They had to pay full rate for a location for an event and the board was perfectly happy shelling out the money to the venue for rental. So a combination of the board willing to shell out money, and the classless act of charging a full rate by the venue owner to a non profit really pisses me off. They didn't have to give it for free , but the right thing to do is just have the organization cover costs incurred by the venue so that the venue wasn't losing money. I always offer to volunteer to get things handled, I am a sales person by trade.

I am going to speak to the president of the organization to let him know that there are definitely better ways to get things done without just giving money away, and to let him know I am displeased with the board handles some of these money issues. Until I feel confident that the money will be spent more wisely, I will continue to do donations in needed supplies rather than money.

 

[pmutts]

You raise many good points . . .

Nice one. I am all about supporting the animals or any other good cause. Of course there are so many people, animals, and other charities in need, but I also put my focus on a local non profit humane society. I just picked up supplies about 3 weeks ago for the first time. Normally I support via money at an event once a month. I decided to do supplies last time instead because they always have a list of things needed, but mainly because I am having an issue with the way the board spends the money, so I figure supplies are hard goods and I know they will be put to good use.

My main issue is, they do not do a good enough job organizing their events and getting people to donate. The most recent issue I had was on a recent event that was used to raise money for the organization. They had to pay full rate for a location for an event and the board was perfectly happy shelling out the money to the venue for rental. So a combination of the board willing to shell out money, and the classless act of charging a full rate by the venue owner to a non profit really pisses me off. They didn't have to give it for free , but the right thing to do is just have the organization cover costs incurred by the venue so that the venue wasn't losing money. I always offer to volunteer to get things handled, I am a sales person by trade.

I am going to speak to the president of the organization to let him know that there are definitely better ways to get things done without just giving money away, and to let him know I am displeased with the board handles some of these money issues. Until I feel confident that the money will be spent more wisely, I will continue to do donations in needed supplies rather than money.

Yes, the LOCAL humane society is generally the best place to contribute. Those horrible late night commercials with those poor neglected and abused animals are very effective at tugging at one's purse and heart strings. However, those spots cost a fortune to air and how much of that money REALLY goes to help this cause I wonder.

I must admit I do not know much about the NASPCA (I believe) but I would contribute locally. Giving supplies is an excellent way to ensure you money doesn't go to some greedy hotelier or overpaid administrator.

I used to contribute $50 - $100 a year to the Salvation Army--an excellent charity. I became disillusioned because it seems they are hell bent on spending the ENTIRE donation to get more money out of me with endless mail solicitations.

So now I just drop a bit of cash in the kitty with the bell ringer during the Holidays.

 

[BMWSTACK]

Yes, the LOCAL humane society is generally the best place to contribute. Those horrible late night commercials with those poor neglected and abused animals are very effective at tugging at one's purse and heart strings. However, those spots cost a fortune to air and how much of that money REALLY goes to help this cause I wonder.

I must admit I do not know much about the NASPCA (I believe) but I would contribute locally. Giving supplies is an excellent way to ensure you money doesn't go to some greedy hotelier or overpaid administrator.

I used to contribute $50 - $100 a year to the Salvation Army--an excellent charity. I became disillusioned because it seems they are hell bent on spending the ENTIRE donation to get more money out of me with endless mail solicitations.

So now I just drop a bit of cash in the kitty with the bell ringer during the Holidays.

Yes great point on those national organizations. Its tough to know who is legit and who isn't, or mostly who actually puts a majority of the money towards the cause. Unfortunately lots of organizations do end up having small percentages going to the cause. It ends up becoming more of a business for people to draw salaries.

 

[Mousey]

Yes, the LOCAL humane society is generally the best place to contribute. Those horrible late night commercials with those poor neglected and abused animals are very effective at tugging at one's purse and heart strings. However, those spots cost a fortune to air and how much of that money REALLY goes to help this cause I wonder.

I must admit I do not know much about the NASPCA (I believe) but I would contribute locally. Giving supplies is an excellent way to ensure you money doesn't go to some greedy hotelier or overpaid administrator.

I used to contribute $50 - $100 a year to the Salvation Army--an excellent charity. I became disillusioned because it seems they are hell bent on spending the ENTIRE donation to get more money out of me with endless mail solicitations.

So now I just drop a bit of cash in the kitty with the bell ringer during the Holidays.

In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the ASPCA was doing a fund raiser for the shelters and animals in the areas affected. I donated $25. They have swamped me with solicitation mails ever since. They have wasted that pittance and much more on advertising mails. The only one to profit was the marketing company who mails out the pleas for help. pfffttt... Using much better sense I googled and phoned and found a couple of Mississippi and Louisiana shelters that were in dire straights and sent small donations... entire shelters destroyed, animals lost, animals to be relocated... anyway, that was money better spent than the pittance at the ASPCA.

I do not send money to even our local shelters (except when they were desperately trying to raise enough money to build it) as I'd rather spend it on 'hard goods' (pet food, etc.) so I KNOW the animals benefit. Something else to consider - if your local shelter will do this - is to occasionally pick out an animal and sponsor it, that way some poor sweet little old lady who can't afford the usual fees can adopt a fur baby that needs a home.

 

[BMWSTACK]

In the aftermath of hurricane Katrina, the ASPCA was doing a fund raiser for the shelters and animals in the areas affected. I donated $25. They have swamped me with solicitation mails ever since. They have wasted that pittance and much more on advertising mails. The only one to profit was the marketing company who mails out the pleas for help. pfffttt... Using much better sense I googled and phoned and found a couple of Mississippi and Louisiana shelters that were in dire straights and sent small donations... entire shelters destroyed, animals lost, animals to be relocated... anyway, that was money better spent than the pittance at the ASPCA.

I do not send money to even our local shelters (except when they were desperately trying to raise enough money to build it) as I'd rather spend it on 'hard goods' (pet food, etc.) so I KNOW the animals benefit. Something else to consider - if your local shelter will do this - is to occasionally pick out an animal and sponsor it, that way some poor sweet little old lady who can't afford the usual fees can adopt a fur baby that needs a home.

Our local humane society has a program called seniors for seniors. A senior can adopt a animal over 8 for no fee, and it includes yearly shots.

 

[pmutts]

What an Excellent Idea

Re:

Something else to consider - if your local shelter will do this - is to occasionally pick out an animal and sponsor it, that way some poor sweet little old lady who can't afford the usual fees can adopt a fur baby that needs a home.

I can't think of anything more worthwhile to help both the animal and the lonesome elderly person in desperate need of companionship.

A little stray kitten appeared on our patio about 11 years ago. We had two pugs and one cat already and the apartment was already making an exception to allow us more than two animals. My grandmother was trying to adjust to life alone after my grandfather (60 years married) had died a year before that.

I took the kitty to her--and after a very rough first week she (the kitty) became the single thing in her life that brought her smiles and joy on a daily basis. Ms. Kitty as my grandmother named her became the primary source of joy and companionship during the final years of her life.