Losing My Moniker
Posted on August 5, 2005 10 Comments
You know how some totally average days just turn out to be expensive? Today is one of those days. More precisely, the past 24 hours have been one of those days.
It started yesterday at the veterinary office, where I learned that my cat must go on a diet (she’s going to love that). After buying special food, her physical and shots, the total bill was $127.00. But it doesn’t stop there! No! The cat also needs dental work (what?), which will cost $200.
For those keeping track, $327 is now gone (all for my cat, mind you).
Next, I went to the store because I was in DESPERATE need of soft-baked cookies. You understand, I’m sure. While there, I also picked up maple syrup for Saturday’s breakfast, a gallon of milk and some band-aids for my stubbed toe. The total cost for those items was $16, plus a quick $20-spot off the debit card so I’d have money for the weekend.
Or so I thought.
(Now we’re up to $363.)
In the morning, I awoke hungry and grabbed a more expensive b’fast than usual for $5 (I usually just eat oatmeal in the AM, which is like 50 cents per pack, and I drink the office coffee for free). While at the coffee shop, I noticed that I no longer had the $20 in my wallet from last night. I think I may have left it in my shorts pocket. Damn pockets. So I rack up $5 on my debit card and pout out the door.
(Total is now $368.)
On the train, I realize that my monthly pass – THE ONE I JUST BOUGHT THREE DAYS AGO – is gone. I know I used it last night to get home, and I double checked to make sure I took it off the train. I didn’t have any pockets in the pants I wore to work yesterday so…. the best I can think of is that when I grabbed my phone from my bag this morning, the monthly pass fell out. Fifty-five dollars and 35 cents, down the tubes.
(Total is now $418.35.)
Fuming about my ticket woes, I now realize something else. I have no money to buy a pass home (the metra here doesn’t accept credit cards) because I don’t have that $20 with me. While frantically searching my bag for any sign of a ticket, I noticed that I also forgot to bring my lunch from home. (Kaching! Kaching! That’s eight more dollars.)
Argh! I’m now out $426.35 in less than 24 hours. On a day that I didn’t mean to spend anything, really.
I deserve to lose my title as “The Budgeting Babe” because clearly I can’t keep my head on straight enough to stop the burning hole in my wallet. I better proceed straight home after work today… I’m libel to slip on a banana peel, knock out a passing child with my mean flip-flop action and then be sued for millions of dollars.
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August 5th, 2005 @ 6:59 pm
I know what you mean with taking care of your pet. I’ve got an aging beagle at home and I love him to death but the Vet bills are getting quite expensive. I had his teeth cleaned and had xrays done on hit leg because he was limping and the bill total over $350. Also bought a portable shade covering for him and that was around $80. Man’s best friend can get quite expensive but worth it. Love the dog!
Good luck with the budget!
August 5th, 2005 @ 11:28 pm
I had one of those days not too long ago. Just got a raise and thought about what financial miracle I was going to perform for it when my dog had to go in for emergency surgery for bladder stones! Total cost of surgery, x-rays, etc….approx. $3,000! And now he has to be on prescription food ($60 for a 40lb bag which lasts a month), and can only drink bottled water because of the minerals in Southern CA tap water (approx. $20/wk, but we all drink the bottled water).
And I was hopeful to save the raise for a new car….*sigh*
August 6th, 2005 @ 9:04 am
It’s like I always say: If you’ve got to spend money, it might as well be on the cat!
August 6th, 2005 @ 4:45 pm
This is precisely why I do not have animals. I can not afford them.
That is one expensive day. It happens to the best of us, but those kind of days will do you in.
August 6th, 2005 @ 7:15 pm
I wonder when Metra’s gonna shape up and start allowing Chicago Card usage. It’d save you the $50 (minus the card replacement fee).
August 8th, 2005 @ 3:09 pm
While I can’t comment about pet ownership, I noticed that your grocery store trip cost you a nice chunk of change and I have a suggestion: Aldi. I’m serious – I live in Chicago (Lakeview) and up until a few months ago thought Aldi was only for homeless people (I’m sorry to sound insensitive). But in an effort to cut down expenses I went there, and I’m always amazed at how much I save. I ran in yesterday for a dozen eggs and some ingredients for a recipe (2 cans of chili beans and 1 can of diced tomatoes), and the grand total was $1.77. Sure, there are things that you can only get at Jewel and Dominick’s, but if you can ditch preconceptions about Aldi, I highly recommend giving it a shot.
August 10th, 2005 @ 4:50 pm
Just the other day I accidently put a new shirt (worn once) in the washing machine when I should have hand-washed it. Now, not only is it a funky new texture, but it’s about the right size for my dog to wear. I just wanted to kick myself for being so absentminded.
August 12th, 2005 @ 2:54 am
Isn’t budgeting all about saving up for these unexpected days of expense? You can still keep within your Moniker if you’ve already planned and saved and budgeted for these expensive days. That’s what budgeting is all about.
ie.. I’m budgeting for unexpected problems.
Cheers.
October 2nd, 2005 @ 9:17 am
Enjoyable blog. Please check out my boxer dog blog.
October 3rd, 2005 @ 4:53 am
I was searching for dog costume info and found this post. I agree totally!
Paul