Comments for Natalia Antonova

Comment on Childbirth is not an abstraction. Why do I even need to point this out? by Natalia Antonova

Natalia Antonova — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:08:04 +0000

I think that when you’re told, over and over again that you’re “ZOMG missing out on the most unique experience EVAR” – you’re bound to get a little pissy. But that doesn’t make said experience any less unique. Our culture just turns parenthood into a Catch-22. If you’re not a parent – clearly, you’re a selfish asshole. If you are a parent – you’re also a selfish asshole, because you’re doing parenthood wrong.

Comment on Childbirth is not an abstraction. Why do I even need to point this out? by G. Willow Wilson (@GWillowWilson)

G. Willow Wilson (@GWillowWilson) — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:15:56 +0000

I really don’t get the manufactured outrage of the nulliparous movement. (This is now apparently the PC term, though I can’t think why, because it sounds like some sort of skin condition.) People who never get tattoos will never know what it’s like to be tattooed. People who never have sex will never know what it’s like to have sex. People who never go to war will never know what it’s like to go to war. Etc etc. Unique experiences are unique. This would seem to be belaboring the obvious, but apparently it ain’t.

Comment on Student debt story: Dear Sallie Mae, I can’t afford you. You’re too high maintenance. And your cutesy name sucks by Ms. Very Stupid

Ms. Very Stupid — Fri, 25 May 2012 22:33:31 +0000

OMG! I just came across this blog by chance. Natalia, I FEEL YOUR PAIN! I too am “successful” – 6 figure salary, great guy and a great kid. I have two computer science degrees and I enjoy a steady stream of lucrative consulting gigs. I love my work and I got student loans to get those degrees. However, I have student loans that I would love to put behind me! I took out several private student loans. The interest compounding is incredible! I have changed my entire setup to make paying these off PRONTO a top priority! The interest is enough to choke an elephant! I can’t believe these people sleep at night doing what they do.

Comment on Remember: I read tarot by Pickly

Pickly — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:55:19 +0000

More free advertising for this from me as well. I liked seeing what the results came up with.

Comment on Student debt story: Dear Sallie Mae, I can’t afford you. You’re too high maintenance. And your cutesy name sucks by Natalia Antonova

Natalia Antonova — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:43:00 +0000

But hey guys, at least Sallie Mae’s CEO has himself a kickass golf course! Oh, and I hear they’re raising his salary next week, apparently…?

Comment on Student debt story: Dear Sallie Mae, I can’t afford you. You’re too high maintenance. And your cutesy name sucks by katanasnk

katanasnk — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:55:45 +0000

If/when you default on your loans (I did), the calls from the bill collectors NEVER stop. You get stacks and stacks of letters from Sallie Mae and the DOE. You give up opening them because they only thing they do is demand $ you don’t have to give. You work a full time job and a half time job and still can’t make their MINIMUM payments. Declaring bankruptcy will not do anything because even if “sold” they’re still federal student loans. As of yesterday, the federal government told me that the MINIMUM payments I would have to make to avoid wage garnishment were $826/month. If they garnish my wages they can take less than $625/month. IF they garnish my wages, that does not even service the interest payments on the debt, and it will never touch the principal, and I will have that wage garnishment on my records and coming out of my pay until I can win the lottery. Plus, the garnishment WON’T stop the collection calls and nastygrams. I learned all of this last night when I tried to call to set up something that I COULD actually pay. They tell you they want to work with you to resolve the issue but they don’t/can’t/won’t. They’re just like all the other debt collectors and worse. I actually told them they’d better just send me to prison.
All I can say is that they can collect from my estate if they want, because I’m going to either have to 1-work myself to death (95% accomplished), 2-stress myself to death (99% accomplished), 3-get a third job as a really active prostitute (not enough time with other 2 jobs unless it pays insanely well), 4-win the lottery, or 5-commit suicide. No matter how I crunch it, they’ll be collecting from my carcass.
I was LIED to when I started taking student loans. I was told that they would work with me to make the payments affordable. AFFORDABLE meaning we’ll take every penny and not leave you enough for gas or ramen. I did not understand that my interest was compounded DAILY not yearly.
I have never felt so hopeless.

Comment on Student debt story: Dear Sallie Mae, I can’t afford you. You’re too high maintenance. And your cutesy name sucks by cory_m

cory_m — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:21:09 +0000

i just bumped into this article- after doing my own math and looking for other people with this problem online.

i graduated in 2008 with 25k in loans.

Ive since paid Sallie 8k. often pay over my monthly min.
my current principle balance is 23,139. how is this possible?

Sallie mae does everything it can to f*(k you over, thats how. if you use online payments, and pay more than you owe in interest, they don’t automatically apply ALL of the extra funds to the principle- they apply some to principle (arbitrarily) and the rest to future interest- youre “pre paying” next months bill essentially, and wont owe them at all come the next billing cycle. gee, thanks a$$h0l3s!

the only way to get them to apply monies solely to the principle is to pay at least 2x the minimum with online billing (this will open an option in the interface to “apply to principle”) or by sending them a second check, by mail with a note and Principle only written in the memo.

I’ve run into plenty of folks, online on boards, who still get this money applied to next months bill even with the check saying “principle only” in the memo.

This company is a symbol of greed in the 21st century- do everything you can to bleed money from your customers. Make sure the most convenient ways to pay provide the customer the greatest financial downside possible. Then, make everything as confusing as possible so they wont notice they’re being screwed, won’t understand how they’re being screwed, then devise overly complex bureaucracy to make sure, once people notice they’re being screwed, the solution is so difficult to attain that people give up from exhaustion before they get halfway to resolution.

After reviewing my statements today, I’m starting to feel as though I’d rather default then send these robber barons another payment. ugh.

Comment on Remember: I read tarot by charlotteotter

charlotteotter — Sun, 20 May 2012 13:37:05 +0000

Putting my hand up here as a satisfied customer! I loved your reading for me.

Comment on Remember: I read tarot by pragmaticrealist

pragmaticrealist — Sat, 19 May 2012 22:08:21 +0000

I seem to be wandering a bit in the wilderness right now. I’ll take whatever guidance I can get.

jsullivan1950 at gmail dot com

Comment on I’m in Crete by pragmaticrealist

pragmaticrealist — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:18:36 +0000

You have been down there a long time. Don’t forget to go home.