“Life Experiences” Archive
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Hubby came down with the flu yesterday. Normally, I pick up our son, and he stops at the grocery store if we are missing an item or two for dinner since shopping with a six month old is difficult.
Last night, hubby requested brown rice water for dinner to calm his stomach, but was unable to get to the store from his ‘deathbed’ on the couch.
Naturally, I’m all out of brown rice and naturally, it’s pouring down rain for my afternoon commute home.
I picked up our son, circled the grocery store parking lot for a spot, and struggled to get him out of his car seat without getting either of us soaked. I run inside, manage to step into a huge puddle of water that looked deceptively small, and grimace as water fills my hi-heels.
I walk the grocery store aisle, trying desperately not to slip with my wet shoes, and grab a bag of brown rice. Usually, after grabbing the item I need, I make a quick circle of the store, check out the sale items or grab produce. I always purchase at least one item not on my grocery list – an item I don’t necessarily need.
I looked down at my sweet son, smiling despite his snotty nose and swollen teething gums. Nope. No circle around the store. I went straight to the checkout. I didn’t even grab a pack of gum from the check stand. Total bill? $2.
Gone are my days of leisure grocery spending.
Who needs to go on a debt diet? Just bring a baby.
Hubby and I don’t get out much. We stay at home rather than dine out, and on the rare occasions we do go out to dinner, it’s nowhere near the downtown San Diego club scene where a beer will cost you upwards of $15.
My husband’s friend is leaving to do government contract work in the Middle East and will be gone for more than a year. She wanted all of us to get together at a club downtown for her one last hurrah before boarding her international flight. She purchased three booths at a club downtown and was footing the bill for the pricey food.
Hubby and I made the trek downtown and waited in line at the club entrance. The ever so serious bouncer looked down at me and demanded, ‘ID?’
I pulled out my wallet and tried to get my ID out.
Tried.
If it were possible for my ID to rust from non-use, it would have.
I yanked and yanked, the line of inpatient club goers behind me staring me down, my ‘coolness’ factor dropping faster than the Dow Jones in 2008. Finally, hubby took my wallet, and after a good fight with it, my reluctant ID came out.
‘Sorry. I don’t get out much. I’ve got a kid.. and lots of debt.’ I said with an apologetic smile to the doorman.
The gruff bouncer slid me a sideways grin. ‘I feel you. Why do you think I’m here? Have a good time’ and put back on his ‘mean’ face for the next person in line.
I smiled the rest of the night. I’m not the only one struggling.
There are lots of us out there.
At work, when holidays fall later in the week when our timecards are due, we have to guesstimate our hours. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I had to guess whether or not I would be at work on Wednesday and Friday. I marked myself to be at work on Wednesday and out on Friday.
Tuesday night was not good to me and I was horribly sick on Wednesday morning. I stayed home and spent most of the day on the couch sniffling and sneezing in misery.
When I reported to work the following Tuesday, I remembered I had to tell payroll about my absence.
Or did I?
If I just let things go, no one would notice my extra day. In fact, they had let everyone go home early that day and I wasn’t really robbing work of 8 hours – only 4. And, every other holiday they let people go home early, I always put in an extra 2 hours so technically they OWED me. Plus, I am underpaid! What’s a couple extra hours?
So, I didn’t tell payroll…
and I lasted a whole hour before I made myself sick and went running to payroll to correct the mistake.
Not only am I bad at fighting for raises, I’m really, REALLY bad at being a thief.
Hubby and I made the trek to my parents’ home to celebrate the day with them and 40 of their closest friends and relatives.
Holidays with my parents can sometimes get a little out of control. All my siblings came into town (first time all nine of us were together for Thanksgiving in 10 years!) and my parents invited my siblings in-laws and a few folks who were alone for turkey day.
Lots of friends, lots of turkey, lots of fun.
Whew! I need a nap.
Some information that might cheer you up on a Monday?
The average age of a car owned in the US?
10!
Before you feel sorry for yourself because you drive an ‘old’ car, remember this…
We are all in the same boat. You’re doing pretty good.
I found myself smiling because my car is a ‘youthful’ seven years old. I’ve got three years before I hit average. Suddenly makes me want to keep it longer!
Our trip was wonderful! We spent a little more than budgeted as I wasn’t prepared for how EXPENSIVE the area would be, but we didn’t break the bank and we saved as much as possible by eating at the house and splitting meals while out.
My brother and my husband are both celebrating their 30th birthdays in the next few weeks so we are heading north for a weekend away. Whenever we take a trip, we typically stay in vacation homes or in REALLY cheap hotels/motels. Depending on the area, vacation homes are typically priced the same as or lower than local hotels but the added kitchen makes it convenient for cooking in rather than dining out.
I found a couple homes I liked and contacted the owners. One owner offered her home at a 30% discount since it’s a last minute booking but she wasn’t in the best area of town. Before Dave Ramsey, I probably would have booked the discounted one and never thought to negotiate with the homes I’d rather stay at.
Oh how times have changed.
I went directly to the best place and asked them to beat the price. What could it hurt?
Not only was I able to get the home we wanted deeply discounted, I was able to negotiate the refundable deposit to 75% less.
Hubby worked an extra side job and we have the whole weekend away covered with cash. Can’t wait!
About This Site
My Debt
- Original Debt: $38,495.86
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