$7,702.10 left to go!

Yesterday I spent $21 to fuel up the Prius from half a tank, and $70 of groceries at Sprouts- I was mostly buying pantry staples in bulk: quinoa and canned coconut milk, and the like. I also spent $50 on Chewy.com because Petri is almost out of poop bags, treats and dental chews- then I added a few non-essential items like a split antler and some bully stix to get the free shipping. I also had a therapy session, and in the evening I did a Deep Stretch yoga class, because I bought a 20-class package back in May. ALSO (wow I did a lot yesterday) I went to the Shawnee Library and checked out this bad boy, fo' FREE, in prep for January's dive trip:


But the big win from yesterday was that I called St. Luke's South and made another payment on my medical bill- $1,000. Paid with my credit card, and will immediately transfer money to the card once it shows on Mint.com. Medical debt is now down to $4,000, total debt is now $7,702.10. WOOHOO!


All of these are needs. In fact, let's refresh the needs/wants list:

Needs:

  • Rent & utilities (just electrical- all else included in rent): $769 + whatever utilities costs
  • Cell phone: $45/month
  • PEARL Business Solutions (Angela is my office manager and I cannot live without her)
  • Auto insurance: $106/month
  • Health insurance: $121/month
  • Legal insurance: $40.50/month
  • Monthly Roth IRA max contribution: $458 (Hey, the max I give now, the better retirement looks from here)
  • Groceries: Set budget to $150 this month, since my friends want to barter, and they grow fresh veggies. So I have $80 left to spend this month, and some of that will be for Montana
  • Gasoline: $80- I could get away with $40 for my own car (yay hybrids!) but plan to chip in on gas in Montana, since my parents are picking me up in KC from their long drive out from NJ, then we're driving all the way to Hungry Horse, MT over 4 days.
  • Pet expenses: This includes day care ($9-$22/day, depending on where he goes, which always depends on which part of town I'm working in), food (one 30 lb bag gets him through 4 months, and I already bought a bag last month), training treats, poop bags, etc. I refuse to keep Petri home when I'm gone for long work days just because I'm saving money- he needs socializing and exercise!
  • A few important pre-planned social events, including 2 birthday parties for close friends, and one outing to First Friday (no cost to join, just will pay for a small meal at a food truck).
  • A therapy session
  • Any and all medical and chiropractic expenses
  • Toiletries, but only: Shampoo, soap, deodorant, sun screen, dental care.
  • Household supplies, but only: Dishwasher soap, laundry detergent, TP, hand soap. (I use cloths instead of paper towels, napkins and tissues.)
  • Pandora Pro: $6/month (small price to pay for ad-free ambiance for my clients)
  • Admission/one drink when I host a meeting at Bar K Lab with my new group, Networking With Dogs KC
  • If any well-reviewed horror movies come out this month, I get to go see.
  • DEBT: My car loan: $270 monthly minimum
  • DEBT: Medical bill: $575 monthly minimum
Wants:
  • Alcohol
  • Dining out, fast food, coffee shops, takeout and delivery
  • Clothing
  • Movies/dates/events that cost $
  • Yoga class
  • Beauty treatments (haircuts, waxing, nails, etc)
  • Toiletries not listed above, and cosmetics.
  • iTunes rentals, entertainment subscriptions, etc. (My parents let me use their Netflix account, but I barely watch it)
  • Audiobooks (I still have plenty I haven't listened to yet)
  • Jigsaw puzzles (I still have so many unwrapped ones that I inherited from my friend who passed in March)
Free forms of fun in the meantime:
  • Dog park walks
  • Picnics
  • Chilling in the pool/hot tub of my apartment complex
  • 80-some movies on my hard drive
  • Netflix (thanks 'rents!)
  • Puzzle nights- I have like 12-15 undone puzzles!
  • Audiobooks- Once I've run out from my Audible account, I'll use the Axis360 app to listen to some for free
  • Library books
  • Podcasts
  • Having friends over to cook
  • 15 yoga classes left on my 20-class pass
... Is there any reason really, to ever spend money? Just reading that list makes me feel abundant.

I can't wait to order prepared meals again. I've always loved Evolve Paleo- their meals are delicious and healthy, and it will be a treat to eat effortless food again. It's cheaper than dining out, but more expensive than groceries/cooking. Cooking takes up a LOT of my time these days, and it will be excellent to give myself a little break in October, when the debt is gone.

The other day my client gifted me 2 bags of wild rice and a bottle of white wine that she loves. I swear, I meet the most generous people. I am so thankful to work with such nice folks.

Last night before bed I made insalata caprese using the perfect tomatoes and basil that my clients had traded me, plus some goodies I picked up at Sprouts (prosciutto, mozzarella, truffle-infused olive oil), and a little Celtic sea salt and cracked black pepper.



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