I've spent $278 in my $300 challenge. With only four days left in the month, I think I've made it!
I even counted the second fill-up of gas, although it was work-related. I figure that in retirement there will always be the potential for some unexpected expense sneaking up on you.
I'm working at home again. Wind chill factors are 20 below. Even though it is bright and sunny, I don't feel safe commuting in weather like this. Maybe tomorrow I'll venture out. I hope I'm not ticking off my employers -- frankly, I don't see why the college isn't closed, considering every school in the area is closed.
But it seems that the cold will stay long-term, so I have to come out of my cocoon eventually. I guess I will try it tomorrow. It's just that with "advanced" years, a bad knee, and a long, long commute, throwing in bad weather seems to tip the balance.
I will be so glad to see the end of winter; also to begin retirement, now matter how financially challenging it may be.
I spent the afternoon at my son's house yesterday. We played Carcasonne with the boys -- it's a great game for adults to play with children, enjoyable for all. The seven-year-old won!
My niece is getting married in July, so that is something new to save for. I think I may have to give up my Las Vegas vacation, which was scheduled in July to coincide with a conference. Well, I won't be sent to the conference, so it would be on me to pay for the travel, hotel, and food. If I fund it myself, I won't actually attend the conference, just be there at the same time so I can visit with old friends who are attending. But now a July wedding will complicate things. A wedding means a gift, hotel and travel. And perhaps a dress, since everyone has seen my "wedding" dress about four times now! And it's really not the right weight for July.
I'm not feeling like I can do both. And a family wedding comes first.
Just three more weeks and I'll be in sunny Florida! What a relief that will be!
$300 Challenge Update
January 27th, 2014 at 05:02 pm
January 27th, 2014 at 05:54 pm 1390845273
Are you familiar with www.buffaloexchange.com which I understand offer quality, gently used apparel? I believe there is an outlet in Chicago. I've bought very dressy outfits at a similar outlet here because those are so expensive and only worn a few times. ...just something to consider.
January 27th, 2014 at 06:51 pm 1390848693
January 28th, 2014 at 12:19 am 1390868355
I see the weather is again supposed to be bad that Chicago Public Schools are closed tomorrow. If you go out, please be careful.