I had a really lovely weekend, this past weekend. Michael came to visit me. By coincidence, his parents were coming to Houston, too (though to see their grandbabies, not us!)–and so I had to give up the guest room at C and M´s house. No problem, Michael and I stayed with his Aunt Michelle. She´s his godmother, he was named after her, and he´s easily her favorite of her nieces and nephews. And she doesn´t have any kids, and she and her husband are both very successful business owners–and they have tons of cash… that they love to spend on us Michael.
Staying with her was like a vacation for us. We only asked her for a place to sleep–but we got so much more. Friday night, they cooked a delicious dinner for us. Saturday during the day, we went to an art festival in a nearby park and had lunch there. We came home and had margaritas on the rooftop deck and listened to music in the sunny breeze. Then they took us out to a very fancy and delicious tapas dinner–and dropped us off at the symphony.
A while back I wrote about how giving up our season tickets to the symphony in New Orleans was one of the more painful budget-cutbacks we had to make. My parents used to take me to the symphony, the ballet, and the opera all the time when I was growing up, and upon moving back to New Orleans, I became a season subscriber to all three of these fine institutions. Michael loves them, too, and we had been enjoying these pleasures together for years. Of course, that was the kind of spending that got me into lots of credit card debt, and it was certainly on the chopping block when I got serious about my finances. But I miss it.
Michelle has all kinds of connections, and was able to get us complimentary tickets to the symphony (along with two drink vouchers!). The seats were incredible (face value $260, folks), and Michael and I had a great time. Sunday they tried to take us biking around the city, but we were exhausted, so they went out and we opted to stay in and watch tv and just be together. It´s so weird that this is what my marriage has become. I knew it would feel like this going into it–but still, it´s weird. I´m glad it´s only temporary.
My point is, I´m immensely grateful to have such a loving and generous family supporting us. And so, without further ado, here is my progress report for March:
NEW BALANCE | CHANGE from last month | DEBT (in order from highest interest rate to lowest) |
$1,660.94 | +$235.53 | gas card |
$0.00* | -$16.81 | CC1 |
$0.00* | -$60.00 | mom´s CC |
$2,912.34 | -$31.09 | CC2 |
$0.00* | -$412.67 | checking overages |
$4,787.64 | -$63.60 | CC3 |
$7,405.50 | +$69.33 | CC4 |
$7,581.55 | -$257.01 | car |
$5,250.00 | $0.00 | unsub2 |
$9,411.11 | -$249.64 | 401k 1 |
$5,534.23 | -$543.62 | 401k 2 |
$3,500.00 | $0.00 | sub |
$6,000.00 | $0.00 | unsub1 |
$0.00** | -$2,460.69 | IRS |
$54,043.31 | -$3,790.27 | TOTAL |
—
SAVINGS | CHANGE | |
$40,562.00 | +$2,338.78 | 401k |
$200.00 | -$87.20 | emergency savings |
$1,900.00** | +$1,900.00 | tuition savings |
$500.00** | +$500.00 | dental work |
$43,162.00 | +$4,651.58 | TOTAL |
That’s a total success of $8,441.85.
**The reason for the big boost this month was my tax refund. They automatically withheld the $2460.69 that I still owed them, and I put the rest in savings for the next round of tuition, and dental work. The tuition bucket is not quite full, but this was, of course, a huge help.
Oh yeah, and I´ve lost 19 lbs since I moved to Houston. That´s only 4lbs down this month, but as you might recall, I fell down a slippery slope mid-month–but was able to recover.
I have a lot of uncertaintly looming, which is causing some background stress. I´m trying to just keep swimming. How was your March?
19 lbs! Man, I’m moving to Houston! 🙂 I love you weekend, Chela. It DOES sound lovely indeed. And your March update? Magnifique! 🙂
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Thanks! I have SUPER SECRET weight loss trick… Burn more calories, eat fewer calories. That’s it! Don’t tell anyone! 🙂
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I’ve tried that one. I can’t seem to get past the “eat fewer calories” part! 😛
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Oh man, that is a TON of progress. $8000+ saved/paid down in a single month?! I’m so impressed. I’m glad the move’s gone so well for you.
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Thanks! It feels good to be making progress. It’s definitely much easier to keep spending low when you don’t know anyone or do anything! Hahaha! Good thing I love the job! 🙂
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Congrats on losing so much weight. You have to be so proud of yourself. Seems like Houston is doing well for you. You’re really getting your financial workout going also. Proud of you!
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Thanks Petrish! I do feel good about the weight loss… I had been stuck at that higher weight for almost 4 years! I definitely feel better now. Both financially, and with my weight, I’ve got a loooong way to go.
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4 pounds off and $8,441 richer! That was a GOOD month. As I read about all the lovely things you did with your wealthy in-laws, I couldn’t help but sigh. I’m trying to embrace the notion that a frugal lifestyle is rich, but restaurants, symphonies, and lunches at art festivals really are wonderful. There’s no way around it.
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TELL ME ABOUT IT! Geez, especially because that’s the sort of lifestyle I was “used to”, until… Until I abruptly had to stop living that way due to maxed out credit cards back in August. I suddenly couldn’t afford anything anymore (no savings obviously) and knew something (everything) had to change. But I do hope that those are things I’ll be able to afford (really afford) one day in the distant future.
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I’m thinking I need an Aunt Michelle;0) Sounds like you got the royal treatment!
Congrats on the weight loss too!
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Thanks! Yeah, she’s great–definitely spoiled us! It was certainly nice to enjoy the finer things and not worry about the money. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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