When "Santa" decided to give each of our kids an iPod, I was against it because I know that it could pose a problem. But since "Santa" said that it can help the kids' creativity, I went with it. I told "Santa" that whatever games is in the iPod that it should be what they will play because I don't want additional purchases. However, on special occasion, hubby would reward the kids and buy them a game like $1.99 which is okay as it doesn't cost much. I have noticed that my son is getting so addicted playing these games that I started to limit his use of the iPod.
The day before Father's Day, my fear came true. I got so many notification from iTunes of game purchases. I alerted my husband so we talked to our son and he admitted downloading the games thinking that they were free. The charges otaled to $142.20 I was upset but my husband was quiet. He said that he would pay for it since it was him who showed our son how to do app on his iPod. As a Mom who does all the budgeting in our household, that was not okay for me. I contacted iTunes and informed them that all those purchases are unauthorized. They agreed to refund us the money and my husband was very shocked that I managed to get it back.
As a result, we confiscated our son's Ipod and he is not allwed to play with it for the rest of the summer. We told himm that if he does good in school, he can get it back by New Year. He was okay with it and understood that what he did was wrong. It turned out to be the best decision because he became more creative again, playing with his other toys like the lego and other things. On the first day of this month, I got another charged for $22.20m ugh. IT was the same date as the other purchases, tried to contact them again but to no avail.
Another issue I had with unauthorized purchases/charges is my paypal card. I had multiple attempts of charges from GNC in California but it never went thru since I did not authorized them. Another charge was from Utah, they bought something from Overstock. These transactions are freaking me out which make me want to close my paypal card. I just don't understand how they could use the card, do they just randomly put numbers to see if it works? It's scary.
On another note, we decided to purchase 4 grave plots at St. Paul Cemetery. It might be a bit odd to you but this is something that my husband and I talked about for a long time. It's funny too because we are thinking of moving to my former country to retire although our kids are against it.
But anyway, we chose this cemetery because it is very well maintained. My husband's family members who have passed already are buried in another cemetery. Hubby said that his parents purchased a plot for him there but since his other brother have passed, they used it for him.
It cosat $900 per plot and we have to pay 10% upon signing the paper. The rest is payable within 12 months at $270 monthly.
The day before Father's Day, my fear came true. I got so many notification from iTunes of game purchases. I alerted my husband so we talked to our son and he admitted downloading the games thinking that they were free. The charges otaled to $142.20 I was upset but my husband was quiet. He said that he would pay for it since it was him who showed our son how to do app on his iPod. As a Mom who does all the budgeting in our household, that was not okay for me. I contacted iTunes and informed them that all those purchases are unauthorized. They agreed to refund us the money and my husband was very shocked that I managed to get it back.
As a result, we confiscated our son's Ipod and he is not allwed to play with it for the rest of the summer. We told himm that if he does good in school, he can get it back by New Year. He was okay with it and understood that what he did was wrong. It turned out to be the best decision because he became more creative again, playing with his other toys like the lego and other things. On the first day of this month, I got another charged for $22.20m ugh. IT was the same date as the other purchases, tried to contact them again but to no avail.
On another note, we decided to purchase 4 grave plots at St. Paul Cemetery. It might be a bit odd to you but this is something that my husband and I talked about for a long time. It's funny too because we are thinking of moving to my former country to retire although our kids are against it.
Buying your own grave is something that not a lot of people do. Even the caretaker of the cemetery told us that we are too young to be purchasing grave plots. Our thing is, we never know what our future holds so it is better to be prepared. Below is the place where our reserved plots are.
The good thing is, if we decide to move, we can sell these to other people who needs it.
I always confiscate my ipad whenever our son never listens and whenever we hang outside. its just boring since he doesn't have anyone to play with whenever there were not kids in the neighborhood. Buying your plot is the smartest thing ever, you are right, we can't tell about our future it's best to be prepare.
ReplyDeleteWe also bought grave plots for the whole family many years ago. You wouldn't believe how much the investment had accumulated over the years. It's better to be prepared for things like this.
ReplyDeleteI know kids sometimes don't get that the games actually have to be paid for! I hope he learns that he can't download whatever he wants now.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't sound odd to purchase burial plots at all. I mean, they don't just GIVE them to you.
ReplyDeleteMy kids have a very limited time to play Minecraft on their iPods. I have to watch them very closely when they use them.
ReplyDeleteWe've had our grave plots for years. While you hope nothing happens, I'm a big believer in being prepared just in case it does.
ReplyDeleteI have had 2 tries to buy stuff on my paypal card as well. Both times I was really glad Paypal caught it!
ReplyDeleteThey've definitely made the process or purchasing apps extremely easy. I can definitely see how all those purchases could have been made accidentally.
ReplyDeleteThough kids can learn a lot from ipods, there's nothing like outdoor games and socializing with other kids to help them adopt new skills. The unauthorized purchase is really scary and it could have come from the info coming from the downloads. I think having a grave lot is a good investment since the future is uncertain.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you were able to get your money back!! I hope you can get those other charges takes off as well, good luck!!
ReplyDeletePerhaps, honest mistake on the part of your son. Nevertheless, one's mistake should not go unnoticed and a right decision must be handles.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to get those charges reversed! $142 is a lot of money to spend on app purchases all at one time.
ReplyDeleteI think in this day and age it is not only practical, but helps the family that are left behind when we pass away! Living is getting more expensive and seems dying is too! One we have the option, the other we don't and think we all have experienced being charged for something and then have the hassle or process of getting it refunded!
ReplyDeleteWe really have to closely monitor our kids when they play with their ipods or tablets. I think he learned his lessons.
ReplyDeleteBuying grave plots is what hit me. It was a very unconventional purchase, however, I agree that we do not know what the future holds so it is better to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I never thought about purchasing burial plots and I guess it is something we all need to think about even though we try to avoid the topic of death.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of buying my own graveyard really creeps me out. But for practicality's sake, I guess it;s a good idea to have secured your resting peace.
ReplyDeleteThankfully we have never had problems with my son buying items from iTunes. I also turned off in game purchases just to be on the safe side.
ReplyDeleteI think preparing for your passing is a great idea. It takes so much stress off of your loved ones during such a difficult time. I think everyone should be prepared.
ReplyDeleteI watch my bank accounts like a hawk because I worry about unauthorized charges. I've never really thought about buying a burial plot. I'm not getting buried though. It freaks me out. I want to go to a body farm!
ReplyDeleteNow a days there is so much fraud out there and I think it is good you are keeping up with it as far as new charges go. I don't think it is odd you bought the plots because for some thing it is good to think far into the future. Thanks for sharing and hope you can get the charges taken off.
ReplyDeleteUghhh my daughter just figured out how to work the iPad herself and the App Store! Now I have to watch her like a hawk when she's on the thing
ReplyDeleteNot an odd topic at all! It's something that everyone should think about. However, I haven't purchased my plot yet since I want to be cremated.
ReplyDeleteNot really something I could comment about but I guess it gives me room to think about it when I get in that situation.
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