02/01/2013

Good ending for Lara’s tenancy problems:

* They got the new apartment and are moving on the 15th

* Their current landlord is letting them out of the lease with no penalty

* Kids have agreed to not go after their expenses while they were displaced.

So, this is good news for them. Both of them were terribly stressed by it all.

Unfortunately, since they aren’t getting their expenses reimbursed, I likely won’t be getting my $450 back. Thankfully Dan’s parents lent them the deposit for the new place so I didn’t have to kick in another $1,000.

* * * * *

Today was payday.

I actually took a good look at my finances.

Since the beginning of January, I’ve been on a spending freeze. I’ve brought my lunch all but 1 day. I have stopped getting my coffee at the drive thru at lunch – and now drink the stuff at work. It is tolerable. Not as good as McDonald’s, but the fact that it’s free kinda helps. I have been cooking my evening meals – and, although it seemed like I had spent quite a bit on groceries, my cupboards are stocked and I think I’ll be able to coast for a few weeks.

The animals cost me a lot … Moodie needs to be groomed every 5 – 6 weeks – that is $60 a pop. They are all due for their check-ups now. Little one’s appointment was $100. Buddy’s is next week. Moodie is due, but I’ll wait until I have to get her anals done and schedule the check-up at the same time. I need to have her teeth cleaned – that will be $300++. Cat food runs me around $30/mo and Moodie’s is probably $20/mo. Remember … I said NO to all these animals!

If I didn’t have to continue diverting money to my children to the extent that I have been ($300/month to William … $2,500 to Lara during January), I could be out of debt by the end of 2013.

If I were out of debt, I could start putting something towards retirement savings. Like, something to the tune of $1,500/mo!!

I’m 56 … if I start saving $1,500/mo when I’m 57 then in 8 years I’ll have saved just under $150,000.

Not much compared to some people’s retirement savings … but a helluva lot more than I have now!

This really does give me some hope.

I just have to get those kids to stop thinking that it’s my responsibility to get them out of the jams they get themselves into.

* * * * *

I’m tired. It’s midnight. Bedtime.

* I WISH YOU WELL! *