Since my last entry, I've gone to Florida and come back, only to have to quickly turn around and drive to Indiana for a funeral. My friend with brain cancer, whom I have mentioned before, passed away just after New Year's.
Travel, Christmas, and car repairs have played havoc with my finances. I have credit card debt again for the first time since I've retired, and it's depressing. I do hope to cover a good chunk of it with my tax refund.
For the time being, I am in NC while my cousin is in Florida. A friend of hers is taking over her care until some time in February. While it is good to have some time to myself, I don't have the luxury of my cousin providing my board. My income doesn't go far. After I pay my medical premium, I have only $180 for the month. This is a major challenge.
I've been looking for a job, but finding nothing I can even apply for. I have not yet put in my application for temp work -- that will probably be my best bet. But I procrastinate. I have gotten used to not working, and I just hate the idea of it! I would really rather stretch that $180 and make it work. Since the house is well-stocked with food, it's doable -- except for expenses like the dentist, vet etc. What to do, what to do.
A bit of good news. At a garage sale in Florida I bought a porcelain mantel clock for $10. After a little research, I found it may be worth $1000! Of course, I can't just cash it in like coins at CoinStar. My sister and I will have to get it appraised and find a buyer. But it's exciting! We've already put in our bid for tickets to Antiques Roadshow, which will be in Raleigh in June.
And my sister had some good news as well. Some Oriental items she had consigned to a specialty store sold for more than $660. So that give her a much-needed buffer for her tight budget.
I don't know what the future will bring, but I WAS glad to hear this morning that stocks are rebounding after yesterday. I'll cherish ANY scrap of good financial news!
I'm hanging in there
January 22nd, 2009 at 02:43 pm
January 22nd, 2009 at 02:50 pm 1232635804
January 22nd, 2009 at 03:27 pm 1232638076
On the clock can you not just attempt to sell it on ebay in a set price sale or set it up where there must be a minimum bid?
I know how you feel on the work - I'm there. I could go back to work now but seems I'd rather make the money I do have stretch instead.
January 22nd, 2009 at 03:54 pm 1232639646
January 23rd, 2009 at 01:48 am 1232675293
About putting the clock on eBay -- I haven't had much luck with eBay, especially for high-end items. I think I need to sell it at a live auction -- just need to figure out how to do that!
Thank you for condolences. She was a lovely young woman and she will be sorely missed by many.
January 23rd, 2009 at 02:14 am 1232676854
Good luck with the sale of the clock.
I, too, retired early, and have found it challenging to stay within a tight budget. But I will do whatever it takes not to have to go back to work!
So sorry about your friend.
January 24th, 2009 at 04:31 am 1232771489
How exciting to discover your $10 mantel clock might be worth $1,000... it's like hitting the lottery. Good luck getting it sold.
It will be a challenge getting that $180 to stretch, but you will find creative ways to do that. The temp work sounds like a good plan for some extra income and it won't lock you into a fixed, long-term schedule. I know you are still pretty young, but eventually, when you can collect SS, finances will be less tight. (I am assuming you will eventually be able to collect SS).
January 24th, 2009 at 01:23 pm 1232803433