Expensive month!

[Zoe Girl]

Whew, I just checked my bank account and yeah it has been an expensive month or so. I am glad I have savings but will need to replenish, all these expenses were non-negotiable so I fee good that I didn't spend in stupid ways but still makes me cringe

* glasses, I have discounts and a HSA but with bifocals it was still almost $200. I sat on my old pair, but I wear a pair for 2 years so feel good about getting a really good pair. (yeah I know there are cheaper pairs)
* car repair, AC recharge. With a high mileage oil change and an AC recharge it was just under $200, it has been in the 90's and AC was not working, and I sit in traffic often, not an option short of being on food stamps
* car repair brakes, another essential, they have these brake ratings and I was down to 1-2 on one brake. Replacement should be at 3-4. All the work totals $400 and with 211,000 miles on the car with no loan I am still feeling good.

It looks like with a frugal rest of the month I will only be taking $200-300 out of savings to cover all this! I can turn in my mileage and get some money back as well (ranges from $50-100) I have an offer to start teaching some mindfulness but I need my department to agree to letting me use my middle of the day flex time in order to do it. It is at the teen homeless shelter so that may help, but they have not answered me yet and I sent in the request early in the week.

[Rachel]

These things go in cycles and YES, the value of a savings account is huge! Good for you for being on top of it. You're right...glasses and brakes are needs not wants! We had an expensive month too....two leaks in bathroom and a roof leak. Exasperating! Again, the value of a savings account.

[Lainey]

This must be in the air - I've had several mechanical surprises in the past 2 months. Had to replace my home water heater, car battery, DVD player, and broken plumbing fixtures in my laundry room.
Am also replacing 4 sets of old, barely functional or non-functional closet doors, although I guess that's not strictly a need. All told about $3,400, but all paid for in cash.

I keep telling myself that I'm glad these things are getting done this year while I'm still working full-time.

[iris lilies]

The first 15 days of my last credit card cycle was good, I hardly bought anything. So I thought "well, then, let's buy some of those want-not-need items." And then our dog went to the vet, and to his specialist. Shot that low balance right to hell.