My monthly roller coaster, and we're not talking PMS

I wonder if I can write well enough to relay the frustration in my head because of my head, without being confusing or boring?

All last month, I kept a note up on the fridge of the things I needed to do with my next disability check, which comes on the 3rd of the month.  Usually, I forget what I need/want, and so there's always something I've forgotten when it comes time to do my monthly bill-paying and/or shopping.  I hate driving the 25 minutes into our "big city", so try to go only once a month.  With gas now up to $3.54 right now, it's getting ridiculous to drive much anyways.

So, yesterday, the Magic Money came in, early because the 3rd fell on Saturday, so it comes a day early.  I was prepared.  I was ready.  I was proud.  Not only was I ready, but I had it typed up - a list of groceries, and a little budget typed out on the back page, to show my sister what the plan was, and to make sure I knew what money I had left to play with after paying the bills and groceries. 

So do the math with me.  Humor me. 

780.00   (hmmm, there's more in there than usual-must have not spent it all last month.  Cool)

Minus 160.00 for rent = 620.00.  Minus 140.00 for cell, power and cable = 480.00.  Those are the done deals, no messing with, pay every month bills.  So we're at 480.00, and looking good. 

(Now if it were me reading this post, I'd move on, already overwhelmed with the numbers.  Should this happen to you, feel free to skip the details - evidently that's what I do in real life!)  (Just skip to the last 3 paragraphs - and two of those are only a sentence long - bear with me, I promise there's a point).

480.00 minus 90.00 for blogging service (once a year) = 390.00.  Minus 70.00 to my sister for 2 little bills she takes care of so I don't forget and get in trouble again = 320.00.

So!  Those are the half to take care of for the month.  Plus I bought computer memory from Cowinky last month (75.00) and owed him for it.  That and 2 months at Snap Fitness cause I forgot to pay last month ... so let's see ... 320.00 minus 75.00 and 64.00 = 181.00.  Minus 25.00 for chicken (dogfood) and 12.00 for canned catfood = 144.00.

Okay.  There's that.  But here's where it gets screwy.  I went to the bank and withdrew 260.00 cash, 160.00 for my sister, and 100.00 for me for the grocery store.  I bought 2 books for less than 20.00, found the chicken for 1/2 off normal price, and the catfood was also on sale, so I'm still on track. 

But in my mind, my sister is paying the bills.  So, because I gave her 160.00, I'm thinking ... my bills are paid!  I tried to help her out by doing the driving part and getting the money to her, saving her a trip to the bank. 

I've just got to STOP it.  I HAVE to do the same thing, each and every month, but when something goes different ... my thinking serves off-track. 

At Sam's Club, I got my groceries, etc., knowing I had 260.00 in my purse.  Forgetting that I had already given my sister her 160.00.  Wheelie paid for part of my stuff, and we'd stop at the bank and pay her back, right?  She told me not to worry about it, but I knew if I didn't pay her back right away, I would completely forget.  And she wouldn't remind me cause she thinks she owes me for all the housework I do for her, etc.  That wasn't the deal tho.  Anyways, the bank closed earlier than I remembered for a Friday nite, so I promised I'd go this morning (Sat) and get her cash then. 

This morning, I drove into town to the bank to get her cash, and also the Snap Fitness and CoWinky's computer memory money.  That's 64.00 plus 75.00 plus 90.00 for Wheelie = 229.00

Go back to the 8th paragraph - where I end up with 144.00, after paying for petfood, Snap Fitness, and the computer memory.  The balance in the bank was 359.00, so I withdrew 300.00 - thinking all was good!  I'd come out right, and everything was paid for!  I was proud!

I wonder if my sister can see the error of my ways right now? 

Let's just wait to hear from her before I go on.  More fun that way.  I like making her panic. 

*

Oh, and by the way?  I can't find the rent check that the bank prints out for me.

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Comments

[mdmhvonpa]

And to think, without blogging you would not have a budget schedule! :D

[TC]

Please, please, please tell me you paid your rent and left enough in for your cable, phone, and whatever else!!!! Please? Please? ....

[TC]

ARRRGGGHHGH!!!