As I mentioned in the previous post, I had a very unexpected and expensive car repair. The gas station that I'd taken it to for the state inspection quoted $917 for the repair and the alignment that would be needed as a result of that repair. When I told my dad, he suggested that I take it to Honda dealership instead. Though he doesn't usually advocate taking cars to the dealer (he's old-school; in a perfect world, we'd all fix our own cars), he felt that if I at least went there, they'd back up their work.
So I got up at the crack of dawn this morning to get to the dealership before 7. I've taken my car there before, for random maintenance items, and as usual, they were great. The quote was almost a hundred dollars cheaper -- and they did more stuff. And at least it's all done, and my car has its lovely inspection sticker. And it feels much better when I drive. A good thing.
I've already transferred money from my savings so that I can pay off the credit card for the repair, so at least the debt situation will stay on schedule. The savings? Well ... that's what it's there for, yes?
Monday, November 3, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
November 2008 Update
I've had a full day, and I'm exhausted. So without further ado:
The Debt: $14,127.44
The Savings: $6,138.89
But there's a "but" -- and it's a big one. I have to have a fairly major car repair. The current estimate is just over $900. I went in for a simple oil change and state inspection, and this was the news I got when I picked up my car. My car won't pass without this repair, and I have 14 days.
I about fainted dead away in that shop.
I like the guys at this shop, though, and they used to do good work on my old car. Still, I'm going to get a second opinion next week. I have a friend who goes to a shop that's not far from where we work. She says they're honest and do good work.
I am bummed, of course. But I keep reminding myself that this is why I have worked so hard to have some savings. Four years ago, this would've crushed me. And while I'd like to do a bunch of other things with that money -- say, for example, keep it in savings! -- I won't be wiped out completely. Also, I have a great little car, and it hasn't required much in the way of repair (unlike the Jetta, which seemed to always have something wrong with it). There have been the occasional maintenance items, but it's been a great car.
In other money news, I recently had to stand up for myself as a consumer. The yoga studio I go to recently replaced all the old, worn-out blankets with these bigger, heavier wool blankets. They're these Italian Army surplus blankets. Itchy, yes, but warm, which is what I need on my bed during the winter. (Plus, they're really cool looking.)
When I received my blanket, I thought something was ... off, and it wasn't just the overpowering stench of moth balls. A week or two later, I measured it: 47.5 x 68 inches. The blankets are supposed to be approximately 60 x 80 inches. That's a big difference. So I e-mailed the company and they were very nice. The sent me a replacement (got it today) and included a postage-paid mailing label for the return.
So that's the monthly update for November. Not all good news. But it is what it is.
The Debt: $14,127.44
The Savings: $6,138.89
But there's a "but" -- and it's a big one. I have to have a fairly major car repair. The current estimate is just over $900. I went in for a simple oil change and state inspection, and this was the news I got when I picked up my car. My car won't pass without this repair, and I have 14 days.
I about fainted dead away in that shop.
I like the guys at this shop, though, and they used to do good work on my old car. Still, I'm going to get a second opinion next week. I have a friend who goes to a shop that's not far from where we work. She says they're honest and do good work.
I am bummed, of course. But I keep reminding myself that this is why I have worked so hard to have some savings. Four years ago, this would've crushed me. And while I'd like to do a bunch of other things with that money -- say, for example, keep it in savings! -- I won't be wiped out completely. Also, I have a great little car, and it hasn't required much in the way of repair (unlike the Jetta, which seemed to always have something wrong with it). There have been the occasional maintenance items, but it's been a great car.
In other money news, I recently had to stand up for myself as a consumer. The yoga studio I go to recently replaced all the old, worn-out blankets with these bigger, heavier wool blankets. They're these Italian Army surplus blankets. Itchy, yes, but warm, which is what I need on my bed during the winter. (Plus, they're really cool looking.)
When I received my blanket, I thought something was ... off, and it wasn't just the overpowering stench of moth balls. A week or two later, I measured it: 47.5 x 68 inches. The blankets are supposed to be approximately 60 x 80 inches. That's a big difference. So I e-mailed the company and they were very nice. The sent me a replacement (got it today) and included a postage-paid mailing label for the return.
So that's the monthly update for November. Not all good news. But it is what it is.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thank You
Several years ago, when I was working for a nonprofit arts center and making no money, there would be the occasional week when I'd have all of a buck to get me to the next payday. And I mean a buck. No savings to cushion the blow. But you know what? I almost never went without lunch. Somehow, some way, it always worked out. Sometimes I managed to bring in leftovers. But sometimes food would just appear during the day. For example, there would be leftovers from a meeting. Or a coworker would have too much lunch and end up sharing with me. Once, someone who had just opened a deli and was eager to drum up business dropped off an entire tray of sandwiches for the staff. For free.
I learned not to worry. I wouldn't go hungry.
I say all this because I've had the same six bucks in my wallet since last Friday. Granted, I have more savings these days, but I still use times like this to get creative with what I have and to trust that when my creativity runs out, the food will come. And so it has been. Last night I got rid of some things in my fridge and freezer and made a stir-fry -- enough for two meals. Today I had some soup that I'd stored in the freezer for a rainy day. Tonight a friend treated me to dinner; I have leftovers, enough for tomorrow night. Someone is throwing a baby shower lunch tomorrow at work, and I'm invited. And I've been invited for dinner Friday night at a friend's place, complete with appetizers, cocktails, and dessert.
So though things are tight until payday, I'm not going hungry. I am so grateful to the power that keeps me safe, healthy, and fed. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I learned not to worry. I wouldn't go hungry.
I say all this because I've had the same six bucks in my wallet since last Friday. Granted, I have more savings these days, but I still use times like this to get creative with what I have and to trust that when my creativity runs out, the food will come. And so it has been. Last night I got rid of some things in my fridge and freezer and made a stir-fry -- enough for two meals. Today I had some soup that I'd stored in the freezer for a rainy day. Tonight a friend treated me to dinner; I have leftovers, enough for tomorrow night. Someone is throwing a baby shower lunch tomorrow at work, and I'm invited. And I've been invited for dinner Friday night at a friend's place, complete with appetizers, cocktails, and dessert.
So though things are tight until payday, I'm not going hungry. I am so grateful to the power that keeps me safe, healthy, and fed. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A Blip on the Radar
Not long ago, I came across photos of San Antonio's Riverwalk and was blown away. Before then, my only Texas experience was a visit to a friend in Fort Worth. I was underwhelmed to the point of vowing I'd never visit Texas again. (Yes, I'm sure there are some people who love Fort Worth. I'm just not one of 'em.) But those photos of the Riverwalk had me reconsidering. Besides, it was unfair of me to judge an entire state based on one small part of it.
I mentioned it to a good friend of mine. She's a former resident of Texas, a graduate of UT, in fact. "You'd love it!" she declared. And then: "That should be our next trip. You should see Austin too." We'll go in January, she said.
While I'm off daydreaming about this, that, and the other, she's doing. And one of the things she does is travel. Her forte is the road trip -- she once drove 700 miles to try a specific pie. It is because of her that I've walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
While I was daydreaming about seeing San Antonio's Riverwalk, she was planning our trip. It's not that I thought she was joking, but she had other trips she was planning next year, so I thought Texas was on the back burner.
Nope. She still wants to go in January.
Why am I mentioning this in my debt blog? Well, because this will affect the savings somewhat. There will be airfare, hotel costs, car rentals. But you know what? So what! In fact, I think I can enjoy a nice trip away for a few days and still meet my debt and savings goal for 10/10/10. Admittedly, it will be tight, but it can -- and will -- be done. And in addition to being debt free and having decent savings, I'll also have some great memories of another fun trip.
So although there's a blip on the radar, it's a good blip.
I mentioned it to a good friend of mine. She's a former resident of Texas, a graduate of UT, in fact. "You'd love it!" she declared. And then: "That should be our next trip. You should see Austin too." We'll go in January, she said.
While I'm off daydreaming about this, that, and the other, she's doing. And one of the things she does is travel. Her forte is the road trip -- she once drove 700 miles to try a specific pie. It is because of her that I've walked the Brooklyn Bridge.
While I was daydreaming about seeing San Antonio's Riverwalk, she was planning our trip. It's not that I thought she was joking, but she had other trips she was planning next year, so I thought Texas was on the back burner.
Nope. She still wants to go in January.
Why am I mentioning this in my debt blog? Well, because this will affect the savings somewhat. There will be airfare, hotel costs, car rentals. But you know what? So what! In fact, I think I can enjoy a nice trip away for a few days and still meet my debt and savings goal for 10/10/10. Admittedly, it will be tight, but it can -- and will -- be done. And in addition to being debt free and having decent savings, I'll also have some great memories of another fun trip.
So although there's a blip on the radar, it's a good blip.
Friday, October 24, 2008
What I Miss
While I abused the act of shopping by using it as retail therapy, there is something about it I really miss.
I used to be known for my fashion sense. These days? Well, most days I embarrass myself. It doesn't help that my company doesn't have a dress code. That doesn't exactly motivate me to make an effort when I get dressed in the morning. Though on the flip side, maybe it's a good thing --
Most days it's a pair of jeans and some kind of knit top and a sweater. During the summer I can mix it up a bit more; I've got some cute skirts. But the colder months are a different story.
Most of the knit tops are too short for my long torso. The sweaters have pills on the arms. Hardly any of the jeans fit properly. I don't have any decent jackets. No dress pants. No good shirts or blouses. My one good suit is 10 years old. I don't have a good dress winter coat.
I get the new J. Crew and Anthropologie catalogs and am filled with longing for this skirt and that sweater, this shirt and those shoes. But then the reality hits: I can't afford it. None of it.
It would be so much fun to go shopping without worrying about whether something fits in the budget. On those days that I look especially crappy -- like today in my old sweater and too-short jeans -- I tell myself that I just need to hang in there. That when I'm debt free, I won't have to pick between buying everything I need from the grocery store or a new sweater. Heat or a new pair of boots. A credit card payment or a new suit.
You get the idea.
But it's so hard to look at myself in the mirror when I look such a mess. I look ... worn. Like my clothes. I made it through last year, so there's no reason I can't make it through this year. I just hope the warm weather comes back soon.
I used to be known for my fashion sense. These days? Well, most days I embarrass myself. It doesn't help that my company doesn't have a dress code. That doesn't exactly motivate me to make an effort when I get dressed in the morning. Though on the flip side, maybe it's a good thing --
Most days it's a pair of jeans and some kind of knit top and a sweater. During the summer I can mix it up a bit more; I've got some cute skirts. But the colder months are a different story.
Most of the knit tops are too short for my long torso. The sweaters have pills on the arms. Hardly any of the jeans fit properly. I don't have any decent jackets. No dress pants. No good shirts or blouses. My one good suit is 10 years old. I don't have a good dress winter coat.
I get the new J. Crew and Anthropologie catalogs and am filled with longing for this skirt and that sweater, this shirt and those shoes. But then the reality hits: I can't afford it. None of it.
It would be so much fun to go shopping without worrying about whether something fits in the budget. On those days that I look especially crappy -- like today in my old sweater and too-short jeans -- I tell myself that I just need to hang in there. That when I'm debt free, I won't have to pick between buying everything I need from the grocery store or a new sweater. Heat or a new pair of boots. A credit card payment or a new suit.
You get the idea.
But it's so hard to look at myself in the mirror when I look such a mess. I look ... worn. Like my clothes. I made it through last year, so there's no reason I can't make it through this year. I just hope the warm weather comes back soon.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Room to Dream
Even though I have two more years before I'm debt free, recently I've started thinking about how to celebrate. I should do something good, something worthy of my achievement.
Things like flying to Miami for a few days. Or maybe going on a yoga retreat. How about a weekend at a spa? Or to NYC for a visit to the Metropolitan Museum?
And then there are the tangibles. I could finally replace my sagging mattress. Or my sagging couch. Or I could join a gym and fix my sagging -- well, you get the idea. ;-)
The goal is to have 10 grand in savings by then. I don't want my reward to require dipping into that amount. Anything I do will have to come out of whatever exceeds that amount. (More incentive to save extra, wouldn't you say?)
A year ago, I couldn't even imagine there being an end in sight. I didn't have the room to dream. Now? Well, I'm no fool, and I know I have a way to go. But I don't feel as hopeless as I did three years ago when I owed $9,000 on my car and $15,000 on credit cards. I barely had any savings, and my 401(k) was virtually nonexistent.
So yeah, I've got a little room to dream. And that's what I'm gonna do.
Things like flying to Miami for a few days. Or maybe going on a yoga retreat. How about a weekend at a spa? Or to NYC for a visit to the Metropolitan Museum?
And then there are the tangibles. I could finally replace my sagging mattress. Or my sagging couch. Or I could join a gym and fix my sagging -- well, you get the idea. ;-)
The goal is to have 10 grand in savings by then. I don't want my reward to require dipping into that amount. Anything I do will have to come out of whatever exceeds that amount. (More incentive to save extra, wouldn't you say?)
A year ago, I couldn't even imagine there being an end in sight. I didn't have the room to dream. Now? Well, I'm no fool, and I know I have a way to go. But I don't feel as hopeless as I did three years ago when I owed $9,000 on my car and $15,000 on credit cards. I barely had any savings, and my 401(k) was virtually nonexistent.
So yeah, I've got a little room to dream. And that's what I'm gonna do.
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