Looking Up

Lately I've been feeling pretty good about things. That's not to say that I'm delighted with my debt situation -- I'm not -- but I feel like I'm in a good place mentally to address it.

Thankfully I kept things manageable during the road trip. I did charge, but only once and only for about $40. Well, that's in addition to the hotel room, which I'd used to reserve the room. So I used the card twice, for about two hundred bucks.

I'd expected to use my credit card next month too when I go to my cousin's wedding. I did reserve the room on my credit card, but I'm going to do my best to actually pay for it with my check card. I've sent my invoice for my freelance gig, and if they follow the usual schedule, I won't get my check from them until just before I leave for the wedding. The amount will be more than enough to cover the payment of the room, so there'll be no reason to incur more debt. Also, if it takes them as long as it usually does, I won't have time to spend it on anything stupid in the meantime.

Oh -- I also have to disclose that I charged a skirt. I wanted something new to wear during the wedding weekend, and this skirt was so cute I couldn't resist. It would have to be cute for what I paid for it: $106. (What the hell was I thinking?!) Of course, there's a chance it won't fit (a possibility I'm hoping will take place) and I'll have to send it back. But it will probably be perfect. As a result of this weakness, the total for the Big Beast is now back over $17,000. (By the way, I also used that card to buy some trivial things at Target. Amost forgot about that.) The next payment in a few weeks will knock that balance back below $17K, though. Hopefully this time I'll be able to knock it back below $17K and keep it heading in that direction.

Also, the start of the payoff of the Little Beast won't begin this month as I'd hoped it would. I received my personal property tax bill, so the payoff will have to start next month. The payoff goal for LB remains July 2008 -- the beginning of July, not the end. I just have to make every effort.

Finally, I need to have a challenge month again soon. I'd like to say I'll do it next month, but with my parents visiting soon and the wedding weekend coming up, I'm not sure how practicable October will be. Maybe November.