Yesterday was a really fun day, but I spent a lot of money. The most expensive thing was the dentist. My flex benefit card was rejected so I had to pay -- $235 for a cleaning and x-rays. I was told that I could use my remaining flex benefits till the end of the year despite being retired, so I will have to follow up and manually send in the papers, in hopes that I will get reimbursed. I did get a complementary toothbrush and floss, though!

I also bought breakfast and lunch out - $18 for both. I got a free dinner at the alumni dinner to offset that. Also got a free handful of candy, and a tomato! (Hey, I count everything!)

My watchband broke, so I bought a $10 replacement. I actually may return it, because I am not thrilled with the fit.

And I also stopped at Goodwill, and bought a puzzle and some minion dolls for my grandsons' birthdays, which are coming up this fall. $3

And I topped off my tank for $26.

I had a good day visiting old friends, and even meeting new ones. It was a long day, though. I got home around 9. My legs were aching terribly, even though I did not walk around much, so I need to figure out what's going on. It took me a long time to fall asleep. At one point I got up and looked up leg pain on the internet, which led me to scary articles about Deep Vein Thrombosis. I hope it isn't that! But it did remind me that I should hydrate and exercise and stretch every day, especially when I have a long drive.

I got some "free" groceries on Thursday's long walk. A woman panhandler who I sometimes see in front of the grocery store was in her usual spot, but she had a box of food she was giving away. It had been given to her by a friend, but it was the kind of stuff she couldn't use (I think she is in a halfway-house sort of thing). So she was handing it out. It was all sealed and in-date, so I took two boxes of broth, some Karo syrup and a can of Eagle Brand. And I gave her $5, so I didn't come out ahead. I assume others were giving her cash for groceries, too, so her friend's donation was helping her in a roundabout way.

I cringe to even say this, but my variables spending is 154%! Oy. Well, I didn't expect the vet bill or the dentist bill, and it is very difficult to cash flow those large amounts on a small budget. On the good side, I still have $378 in reserve from previous underspending, so I'm really doing all right, though it feels bad!

Really have to do something about getting the car painted. It looks bad, and I'm going to start getting real damage if I don't do something. I guess I'll start researching shops today.

Today's Menu:

Breakfast: Potato Bowl
Lunch: Tomato Casserole
Dinner: Barbecued Chicken, Veggies

Potato bowl is leftover mashed potatoes formed around the sides of a bowl and filled with leftover veggies, meat, cheese, etc. Tomato casserole is a fresh tomato sliced and baked with a cracker crumb crust and cheese/mayo topping.