recent thoughts

This summer has brought changes - large changes, in fact. 

With the death of my father-in-law, my ex has decided to move out of the 2-bedroom condo we shared, and into her late father's house.  That's pretty understandable considering that she and the kids are able to live in a more spacious house, and each has their own bedroom.  During the school year, however, the kids will spend a lot more time in Oak Forest and at the condo, because that is the school district they prefer and been at for 12 years.

There was an observation that I speak/write about money often.  That may very well be true, yet when your conditions change in a very noticeable way, then why not write about it?? 

If you were a model, wouldn't it seem natural to talk about photo shoots?

If you were a football player, wouldn't it seem natural to talk about the games?

If you are a parent, wouldn't you talk about your kids??

If you were a farmer wouldn't you talk about your crops or livestock?

If you were happily married and in love with your husband, wouldn't it seem right to talk about your husband?

So, it is logical for me to write about what's on my mind.  I read a book about anxiety/worrying.  One of the definitions of worrying is:

repeatedly thinking about the same problem/area of concern & worry over and over without coming up with a solution.

Now, no one is perfect. We all worry.  The book made clear what should happen if I am concerned about money. 

Before the book, and definitely after the book I read, I have been making constructive plans to solve the money dilemma I have.  The kids and Maribeth were surprised I got rid of my cable TV subscription, but it certainly didn't surprise me as I'm saving $50 a month.  So, look for ways to save money.  My utility informed me that I'm using less energy than I was last year.  It helps having your air conditioner set 10 degrees higher than it was last summer as well as turning down the freezer. 

Next, is paying off certain accounts.   Now, the air conditioner doesn't turn on unless the temperature is in the 80s (that's fahrenheit and upper 20s if you live where they measure in celsius/centigrade).

I have paid off 2 credit cards during 2011.  In the next 2 months, I am going to be able to pay off 2 more credit cards.  With my medical problem that I have mentioned previously, I have paid off 2 medical accounts.

Third, is to prioritize my accounts.  The mortgage gets paid first, the insurance is a high priority.  Certain accounts necessitate calling customer service and telling, not asking,  that they won't be paid because there's simply not enough money to go around.  It's advice that was given by my dear close friend, Patricia, and it's worked. 

Speaking of friends, getting help is sometimes necessary.  When you are helped, pay  back the little loan soon as I have.  Or, pay back the help with other non-monetary benefits like giving the helper rides when needed and other types of help as well.

Don't get down about setbacks.  I thought that Google AdSense would help just a little bit (not much, I never thought that!)   as they paid for me showing their ads on this very blog.  However, over a week ago, they decided to not to pay after all, so there's no use crying to a monolithic many-billion-dollar corporate piggish entity.  No, forget them.  Let them think what they want, because piggish corporations and piggish corporate heads think only of profit and have a tendency to hurt not only people but nations.  That's why there was a need for the law in 2010 to order health insurance companies to actually use more money towards providing health benefits rather than the lavish compensation to the pigs who run them.  

One thing that Republicans fail to acknowledge is that the most efficient provider of healthcare among the elderly was MEDICARE, not the private insurance companies. Why?  Because Medicare is not profit driven & there's no rich CEO/pig  that is demanding that the board of directors give him more money. 

Don't take my word for it, because it's documented:

"[T]he Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that administrative costs under the public Medicare plan are less than 2 percent of expenditures, compared with approximately 11 percent of spending by private plans"

Too much politics?  I wouldn't discuss it if it wasn't true !

 The next thing is keep trying.  That's a rather general platitude for many things.  Being a good Christian (we all sin, but we need to keep trying to live a good life), being a good parent (try hard to  say "no" when you have to, even when you said "no" many times before, even when it's hard and even if they have a compelling reason for you to say "yes", but it hurts the long term goal !) 

Having medical billers write to you and tell you that you didn't pay them when you did is stressful.  But I would be more stressed if I didn't have the records to show the payment.  So, being organized with decent record keeping is another key to the money problem dilemma.

 

One of the best options is to find a better job, and that is difficult.  That takes many resumes and trying.  Another option is to find a 2nd source of income.  I have accomplished that, but am seeking better methods and better pay in that regard.

I don't even know for certain that I'll succeed, but I'll try, I'll use what I've written about and then some.  Theft may be on my list of options, if things ever get worse, but let's hope not !  JK !