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Archive for September, 2011

ER visit

September 29th, 2011 at 09:13 pm

Lucky us, we got to visit the ER today. My poor husband woke me up at 5am because he was in pain and couldn’t take it anymore. He’s the kind of guy that never needs to go to the doctor, and will never want to unless it’s bad. The on call doc said to go in and not wait.

I was really impressed with the ER service, and we got in right away (which totally dispelled my wait forever belief). After an IV, blood tests, urine test, shot of pain meds, and a CT scan, we found out he has a kidney stone. Poor fellow.

Now that I’ve had a nap and time to process what happened (I’m not a morning person), I’m starting to think about what this is going to cost me. We have a high deductible plan ($5400), and I only have $3000 in my EF. I’ve read that an ER visit for a kidney stone can cost from $500 to $10,000. Anyone have a better estimate for me so I don’t go into sticker shock when I finally get the bills?

Oh, and is September over yet?

EoM Blahs

September 29th, 2011 at 12:57 am

The second half of the month wasn’t any better. One failed goal. I didn’t increase income. One succeeded goal. I didn’t go over our strict budget

I don’t have any good to say about anyone or anything right now, so I think I’ll just keep this short.

My October goals:
1) Send handwritten cards to five people
2) Connect in person with a friend and do something fun

Dark Mood

September 17th, 2011 at 01:52 am

I’m in a bad, icky, dark mood…

I’ve tried to increase our income twice so far this month, and both failed miserably.

It’s the last weekend of my husband’s remaining part time job. I think he thinks he won’t be able to handle another part time job with his “heavy” schooling. Not sure how far I can push the issue without causing a huge fight/lasting resentment since we can and are living on what I do bring home. There’s just not enough to save, pay for unexpected expenses, or pay for his schooling if we don’t get financial aid.

I shocked my husband when I proved to him that when he graduates, we’ll have $60,000 in student loans to cover only tuition, fees, and books. $12,000 from the past, plus $9,000 this year, and about $13,000 each the next three. I sure as hell hope he graduates early and is able to work part time through school. Funny thing is, we’ve talked about the number before and it’s just now clicking in his mind.

Then I realized, while proving the numbers to him, that since we got married 3.5 years ago, we paid down $21,000 in credit card debts (from moving cross country twice), bank of moms loans (wedding lending), and student loans. (Well and added two car loans, but I don’t really count those since I can sell both easily for more than I owe. Net-wise, they’re positive). Which, now that I think about it, wasn’t too bad for progress. But now we’ll have it back up to that insane number in no time.

Plus, that number makes me wonder if I shouldn’t have paid down debts and instead I should have saved for a down payment on a house. Which is a whole stupid thought cycle in itself. I wouldn’t have been able to pay house payment and all those minimum balances. But, gah, I want my own place!

And then my relationships with friends/family aren’t going too well. But that’s a whole book in itself.

So yeah, dark mood. Chocolate isn’t working. Catching up on sleep might. Hopefully I’ll wake up tomorrow feeling less moody.

Needy Pennies, Needy Me

September 4th, 2011 at 04:49 am

I really hate how every penny now has a need. I loved having “leftover” money each month to put towards savings, debt repayment, or random expenses that came up. Now, even the auto-savings has a need. Every six months, the exact amount we put in will come out to pay for the car insurances.

I was just thinking that by time my husband’s schooling is over, we’ll have lived with my parents for 7ish years. Never in a million years did I think this would happen. How depressing.

So yeah, I’m not sure if I’m going to survive the next 4 years of scrimping by and additional debt. I really hope this proves to be worth it.

September’s goals:
[ ] Stick to tight budget
[ ] Increase income