I almost didn't believe it. I got my letter from the SOS saying that I am medically cleared to apply for a new driver's license. The accident that caused this whole mess took place in April of last year, so it's been almost a year.

I went to the DMV this morning. Thank goodness my town has a branch just for seniors that encourages walk-ins. I took and passed my written test and my vision test. I could have taken my road test, but I traveled there on the bus, never thinking that a road test was possible without an appointment. (And I couldn't make an appointment, because the online form doesn't accommodate my situation, which is neither a renewal nor a first-time license.) Anyway, I believe I can go back tomorrow, with my car, and get my road test done, and then I will have my license back. I did get conflicting messages from different people there, but that seems to be the norm for this organization!

My ex will drive me there in my car, and then probably Uber home.

Here's hoping I pass the test! I don't take anything for granted anymore.

And the good news is, the "fee" that was alluded to in my letter was only $5. I was imagining much more.

So it's been quite a month. I keep watching the news about Social Security, and it is never reassuring. I am cutting my spending as much as I can so I can build up my savings. I have only two months' worth of living expenses -- three if I am superfrugal. That is not enough, I know. I used to maintain a bigger EF, but I have had hits to it lately, and I never thought that my Social Security income was at risk.

My spending for the month of March was under $2400. My biggest expense, other than housing, was the purchase of a new stove after I managed to break my old one. And I'm not really sorry. The new stove is a dream compared to what I had. It was $797, which included delivery, installation and the removal of my old stove.

I kept groceries down to $101, and I spent $85 on medical things. A friend took me to Sam's, where I stocked up on toilet paper, laundry detergent, and dishwasher detergent to the tune of $72. I spent $48 on eating out, because I had company, and I spent $41 on gifts.

I'm glad a fresh month is starting tomorrow and I hope I can sock some more money away.

FYI, my son is still employed by the government, but not sure from one day to the next whether that will last.

I was very much planning not to spend anything yesterday, to throw my support into the blackout, because I feel strongly that our voices must be heard!

However....

I opened my oven door, and it fell apart! Literally. And the panel which held the outer glass window separated and crashed onto my tile floor, shattering and spreading glass shards everywhere. It was not pretty.

So I called an appliance repairman from a local company, and he was able to come right away -- so of course I did not say, "No, later, it's blackout day!" I said please come. He looked over the situation and then looked up all the possibilities on his phone for parts that might be available. But it's an old stove, and the parts that were available were expensive. In the end he said he felt that, given the age of the stove, the repair would not make sense. 

So I paid him for the call, and then I ordered a new stove right away. I found a bare-bones model on sale at a local business, one that is very highly respected. With delivery, installation, and removal of the old stove, the cost came just under $800. It will be delivered on Wednesday.

I knew that my stove was ancient -- it was old when I moved in, and I've been here 11 years. So I'm not too surprised, although this wasn't the way I thought it would go. It makes me sad that I have to do this at a time when I am so uneasy about money, but I know I will enjoy having a new stove.

So I spent a lot of money on blackout day, but I didn't support any corporations. Just local business.

February was already a challenging month, with property tax, birthdays and several medical bills to pay. I hope March is better.