Expensive month

[judy]

Since I began getting Social Security, I have been shopping online and having a real good time! I still need quite a bit for the house, and have been enjoying shopping for the kids a lot. I have also been doing my usual stuff, like getting my hair done every week, my mani/pedis, the cleaning woman, and not really scrimping on food, etc. and feeding the dogs very healthy raw food.

This month, I have had to tighten my belt. My car needed work, and needs new rotors now. My hot water heater cost me $236 for repairs. I have to get new flooring for downstairs. This dark laminate is just ridiculous. It never looks clean for more than 15 minutes after the cleaning woman does it. I bought the kids good bookbags, from LL Bean. I also gave Jess and Steve $500 when they got the new dogs. They also owe me $200 or $300, and collecting money from my adult children is not something I want to put much energy into, although Steve will make good on it at some point. He was hesitant to take the $500 because my water heater wasn't working right, but I told him I was okay financially at the moment, so take it while I have it!

I've also begun to keep the social security checks in savings, so that I have enough to start looking for a car before long. Mine is a 1997 Celica, and I think its time has just about come.

I am not happy! I have to change my priorities! I HATE it when real life catches up with you after a nice period of not having to worry about money.

I know I should be (and I am) grateful that I have enough to pay for what I need, but I have more than paid my dues as far as having no money and struggling.

I was just having such a good time

Old priorities:
Beautiful bedding, art work, vases, knick-knacks, antiques
Stuff for the kids
Some new tops, and jeans, and shoes, and boots, and a newblack pocketbook

New priorities:
Water heater (done)
Car repairs
Car inspection
Pray that car passes inspection OR fix car to pass inspection
Floor
Pray that nothing major comes up too soon