I got my cell phone bill today...and boy, was I stupid. I have been so busy lately with real estate (currently 4 deals waiting to close) that I completely ignored my minutes. $250!! My bill is usually about $47. But I have no one to blame but myself. I'll have to be more careful this month. I'm already at 250 minutes (out of 500) and only a week in.
When things like this happen, I am always reminded just how important it is to have a little extra cash around. A $200 increase in a monthly bill could really have set me back, but I have the cash to pay it without sacrificing. And that, my friends, is my wish for all of you as well - to have the security and peace of mind of an EF!
Stupid with a capital S
July 21st, 2007 at 02:26 am
July 21st, 2007 at 03:00 am 1184986813
On March 31st(Saturday night), my cat was shot in the face with a .22 short. I didn't know it at the time.
He came home to me Sunday evening about 6:00 pm. and my SO and I saw at once that something was terribly wrong with him. He made it thru the night, and the next morning we rushed him into a local vet's office.
I had started paying myself first about two months prior to this horrible event and so had $40 in quarters to give to my SO to give to the vets. His check was due the next day. The total bill was $250. It threw the family finances into a complete tailspin, but it drove home to me once and for all how important it is to have an EF in place. From the month of April 2nd, when Cloud Warrior(flame point Siamese) was shot, I immediately started the full cash Envelope System and have stayed with it.
This month, when another one of our cats had to go in to the vet's, it felt so good to know that I had sufficient funds in the Vet Bills envelope to cover the expenses and some left over. It felt even better to be able to call and get said kitty in at once insted of him having to wait. I will continue to budget and use the Envelope System;it's a life saver for my peace of mind.
July 21st, 2007 at 03:09 pm 1185030578
Carol, I hope your cat is doing well now. I am so grateful to have an emergency fund now. I never had one (that was funded) before I sold the house; I was always living hand to mouth. It's a good feeling to have something in reserve.
July 21st, 2007 at 08:36 pm 1185050215
I know well the feeling of having an emergency fund in place and I fully agree it's a good feeling.
Jodi: Sending you my best wishes concerning your cell phone. You'll do better.
July 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 pm 1185147154