The good news -- thanks to you kind people, I got $25 for my contest entry!

The bad news -- I spent $10 for a deposit on WorldWinner (receiving a $10 match). I am now a little under $20 even though I have won a couple of times. I can see that this could be a very bad habit. But at least I got some MyPoints!

I went to Wal-Mart today to pick up a prescription ($1 -- can't beat that!) While I was there I got some body wash ($3.70), then ducked into Staples and bought a package of memo pads ($7.78). The memo pads will go into a "game kit" for my son -- the rest of the kit will be a box of playing cards (13 decks, from Sam's) pens with his and his girlfriend's names on them, and a big bag of pistachios. (It's a family tradition to eat pistachios while playing cards.) Anyway, this will be his housewarming gift for his new apartment in Chicago.

I'll be leaving on that trip on Thursday -- can't believe it will be so soon! Right now it's looking like my cousin will not go along, so I won't be able to split costs. But that's okay, it's her decision to make!

Yesterday was errand day, and I spent a little.

First stop was Pet Source. I bought kitty litter, cat food, and three doses of Frontline Plus for $73.

Next stop was Lowe's. I didn't spend anything, but my cousin bought some fencing and some kind of hose attachment for fertilizing.

Then Wal-Mart. My cousin bought groceries, and I bought a broom, laundry basket and personal items for $19.

On the income side, I received an $8 check from my retirement fund because of a miscalculation in interest.

In less than a week I am heading to Chicago to visit my sons. I think my cousin will come along as far as Indiana, so that will help with expenses. I think we will even use her car, since her mileage is so much lower than mine.

Today I'm going to do some kitchen stuff -- fry up a pound of bacon and make a pot of rice. We always keep those on hand. And I think I'll make some banana muffins to use up some very freckled bananas.

Laundry day, too. I'm so excited, I get to use my new laundry basket!

Through the garage sale and various little economies, I have finally raised my medical/dental fund to a whopping $177!

One of my old crowns fell out the other day. I stuck it back in with PolyGrip and I'm hoping for the best. It'll be a long time, I'm afraid, before I can replace it.

I opened an ING Sharebuilder account (mostly in order to get $25 for the new account). I'm a little bewildered by it. I don't really want to invest it -- my retirement nest egg is invested and that's enough fun for me! And I would have to add a lot more to it to invest anyway. Is it okay to let it sit? I know many of you are ING customers.

From most to least --

Medical/Health - $756 (colonoscopy, urgent care)

Car Insurance - $254 (semi-annual)

Gifts - $132 (DIL birthday, donation of dictionaries to school, early buy for cousin's & sister's birthdays, material to make greeting cards)

Clothing - $57 (underwear & pjs)

Eating Out - $47

Cell Phone - $45

Miscellaneous - $35 (checks, postage, newspaper ad)

Gas - $25

Personal - $20 (haircut & toiletries)

Fees & Services - $18 (eBay, Privacy Assist)

Entertainment - $15 (Netflix, Photo development, book)

Vet/Pet Supplies - $14 (Cat chow & vitamins)

Furniture/Equipment - $7 (Basket for things to file)

Total outgo was $1425 -- not good when income is $637. But $644 came out of savings for the medical expense.

Medical costs are my worst hurdle.

My garage sale was held on Saturday. After subtracting the cost of the ad, it cleared about $135. My personal take was about $75. I bought dinner for my helpers, which was about $28. So I made about $47. That was a lot of work for $47, and leaves me wondering if it is worth it to do it again. Granted, it was my choice to buy dinner, but still. Right now I feel like using Freecycle and donating to Goodwill is a better way to deal with extra stuff. Certainly less stressful.

I put the paper money I earned in savings, but the bank wouldn't accept my coins unless they were rolled. That surprised me -- I am used to a bank with a coin counter, like Coinstar. So rolling them will be tomorrow's project.

Well, yesterday I reported that I was going to a dinner and a play. What I didn't know was that both were going to be paid for! I am both blown away and somewhat disquieted by my family's generosity. I am so used to struggling on my own that it takes me aback when someone pays my way. I wonder, how can I reciprocate? Do I now have an obligation to make a similar gesture? I know it probably sounds ungrateful, but I would rather go Dutch, so that all the rules and expectations are clear. Does anyone else struggle with these issues?

That said, we did have a wonderful time. The play was excellent, even though musical comedy is not my favorite. And dinner was at a very homey German restaurant, where we all got to sample the various dishes -- and they were all good!

Today I'm going to make a casserole for the cousin who did most of the treating. I also plan to do some work on the garage sale, which will be this Saturday. I have to put together a clothing rack (which has been sitting in the basement -- didn't buy it for the sale). I also need to take a final sweep through the house and then start putting labels on.

I went out for breakfast at Waffle House yesterday, spending only $7, including tip. And it was a pretty darn good breakfast.

Afterwards I went to an antique sidewalk sale downtown with my sister and a friend. Had a great time looking, but did not buy anything. Was not even really tempted.

Today a bunch of us are going to see "Meet Me in St. Louis" at a local playhouse, then perhaps go out to dinner, so there will be some cost there.

I got my bill from Urgent Care for a respiratory infection I had back in April. Only $27 -- my insurance is finally paying off.

Went to Wal-Mart today and spent about $30 on vitamins, supplements, and personal items.

I upgraded my Netflix account to get one movie at a time, rather than 2 a month. They charged me $2.36 for the rest of this month, and it will be $7.99 from now on. Should be a better value, as I can go through movies fast!

My son has successfully bid on a condo in Chicago. He sent me beautiful pictures. I'm so happy for him! He and his wife and son have been living with my ex's family for about a year. He had been promoted and transferred from Kansas City to Chicago, but lost a chunk of money on a house they owned for only one year -- so moving in with Dad was a financial necessity. But he did what he needed to -- paid off his debts, saved for a down payment, and now they're on their way! My other son recently moved to the city, too, so they're going to have some fun. I'll be visiting them both next month.

I've been out of action for a while, because I came down with bronchitis. I think I'm finally getting better, but it was a pretty rough bout. Still have a terrible cough.

Being sick does keep you out of trouble, spending-wise! All I've done financially in the last week is pay for my car insurance (I went with Allstate, $255 for six months).

I also started a little projection chart on my budget spreadsheet to give me a better handle on what's coming up. Next month I have a trip to Chicago on the agenda (to see my son's new apartment) and some medications will need to be refilled. The following month I will be due for a periodontal checkup and my cat will need to see the vet. I will also be getting company -- my brother's family, cousins from Texas, aunt & uncle from Florida -- but my cousin will shoulder most of the cost for that, while I do most of the work!

Yesterday I ventured out in the 90+ heat (so unusual for the mountains). I ran some errands for my cousin. The only spending I did for myself was $29 for three pairs of pajama bottoms, $8 for cat chow, and $2 for vitamins.

I noticed that when I HAVE to do a load of laundry, it is usually to get some clean pajama bottoms -- I just didn't have enough. So hopefully, this purchase will buy me three days of non-laundry! I paid more than I would like to, but I like to have elastic -- not drawstring waists -- and that was hard to find. Apparently drawstring is THE thing today!

I'm battling an ugly cold -- isn't it awful to have a cold when it's hot? Doesn't seem right.

In an earlier post, I lamented that I would have to take my car insurance premium out of my medical premium fund. However, I talked to the Allstate agent. I can charge my premium. This is good news to me. I have no credit card debt, but I charge just about everything and pay if off each month. That means I won't have to touch my savings.

However, I haven't been able to add to it lately. Still have that whoppin' big $44 to go toward my crowns! If I ever get my garage sale organized, that will help.

Yesterday --

I resisted going shopping at Linens & Things with my cousins, so no money spent.

I made a Swiss cheese & bacon quiche, which will serve for a few breakfasts and lunches.

I told my cousin I would not be interested in a job unless it was part-time.

I talked to my son, who has finally (almost) completed his move to Chicago.

Today --

I hard-boiled eggs and made six cups of oatmeal. The oatmeal we didn't eat for breakfast will be saved for the dogs.

Anyone remember the Carolina wrens nesting on our deck? Well, this morning one of them was IN the sunroom. (The door was propped open for the dogs to come in and out.) I opened the door more and left the room. When I checked back later he was gone. Hope that experience doesn't scare them off. They haven't laid eggs yet.

My cousin (not the one I live with) offered me a job today. Well, she didn't really offer it to me, but she recommended me to her boss when asked if she knew someone who would be good in the position.

I'm mulling it over. Truthfully, I would rather not work. I'm retired, and I've gotten used to the leisurely pace. And I moved here to be of aid to my cousin who has NCS -- if I worked, I would be leaving her alone all day, which might not be a good thing.

But I sure would have more money! Less freedom -- more money. I can't decide, so I'll sleep on it.

Today I shopped on the internet -- bought some undies (why am I always, always, buying underwear and still don't have enough?) and I bought a a gift certificate for my DIL's birthday. $102 all together.

I've decided I will probably switch my insurance to Allstate. They weren't the lowest offer, but they were the lowest one with a AA rating.

MyPoints led me to a site where I would get points for getting car insurance quotes. Since mine is due again on July 3, I went ahead and filled out the form. I'm getting quite a few quotes that are less than what I'm paying.

The lowest quote is from a company called Erie. I don't know anything about them, but I would save about $200 a year with them. I'll have to do a little more research about them, and make sure I'll be getting the same coverage.

Sadly, I will probably have to take the premium out of my medical premium fund. Now that my medical/dental fund is dry, and the emergency fund just about, it's the only one left. I don't think I'll be able to eke it out of my cash flow.

If things get much worse, I'll have to get a job!

This morning we discovered a pair of Carolina wrens building a nest in a hanging basket on our deck. We can sit in the sunroom and watch them fly back forth, bringing twigs and leaves. The nest is really coming along fast!

This will slow down plans to powerwash and paint the deck. Now we'll have to wait till the young'uns leave the nest -- probably about a month from now. Till then, we have free entertainment.

Yesterday I installed an insert for my bedroom window that has a kitty door. I am training my cats to use that and not the one that goes to the patio -- if they go out on the patio, my cousin's dog is ready to "attack." (I put it in quotes because he is all noise and no action.) If they use the window, they go out into the side yard where the dogs have no access.

So far they are not thrilled with the new scheme. Firstly, I think, because it's not familiar, but also, it requires them to be a bit more athletic. I guess even cats avoid exercise if they can!

May was a somewhat unusual spending month for me. My biggest expense was:

Gifts - $278 - Two graduations and a check to my son to help with his moving expenses. I also bought a wireless mouse for my cousin.

I spent $217 on equipment -- mostly computer repair and a USB card.

I spent $214 on medical/health -- had a tooth filled, and visited the doc.

I spent $190 on vet/pet supplies -- Frontline Plus, kitty litter, new cat pan, cool padded cat house, cat food etc.

$104 on vacation -- mostly food, and the one tank of gas I used to go from Indiana to Chicago.

$56 -- car repair/maintenance. Oil change and a fancy car wash.

$42 -- gas

$35 -- clothing. Bras and shoes.

$26 -- fees/services. Mostly for AAA.

$18 -- entertainment. Netflix, art supplies.

$3 -- eating out. Just one run to McDonald's.

$2 -- miscellaneous.

Grand total -- $1206

I have started out June by paying that $645 bill for the colonoscopy. I talked to the insurance company (twice) and the GE Center, but neither will agree to a reduction. I guess I can console myself that I won't have to do it again for ten more years!

Well, I finally got the bill from the gastroenterology center for my colonoscopy. It is $644 -- my insurance only paid around $255 because it was out-of-network. Like I had any choice? The only in-network services around here are family doctors and pediatricians. What is really discouraging is that I am still expecting bills from the doctor who performed it and the anesthesiologist (who I am certain are out-of-network also), so I'm not nearly done.

If I'd had any idea it would cost me so much out of pocket I wouldn't have done it. I'm not in the risky profile at all.

That said, I am glad I don't have cancer, but I wish there had been a cheaper way to check on that!

This will really throw my dental fund into oblivion. I don't see how I'll ever get those crowns at this point.

Anyway, I'm changing my savings goals -- it will now be the Medical/dental fund.

Well, my laptop is back, and working. It cost me $118 to get it fixed -- but I had a $100 Best Buy gift card to put toward it, so it would have been $218 otherwise.

I've loaded all my programs and have started rebuilding my spreadsheets. One nice thing about having to start over is that I can do things better now -- leave out some stuff that doesn't matter any more. Put things in folders that make sense. You know.

Other than repairing my laptop, I don't have much financial news. I had to buy Frontline Plus ($91) for my dog and cats -- oh yes, I have two cats now. I've adopted my son's cat, since he can't take her to his new apartment in Chicago. While I was at the pet place I got cat food ($14). Radio Shack was having a sidewalk sale, where I found a great toy for my grandson for half-price ($15), which I'll probably give him for Christmas.

I did some pre-totals of my May spending, and it doesn't look good....

Yes, my laptop's hard drive has died, and nothing was backed up. I lost all my financial records, that I kept for quite a few years, my tax stuff, my novel, pictures. My fault; I knew better. When I pick up my laptop, with its new drive, I will also get a flash drive and mend my slackard, lazy ways.

In other news, I got a refund of $75 from my insurance company for an overpayment to my doctor. It went to the dental fund.

Well, between using a new USB port and new cartridges in my printer, my printing process was all messed up yesterday. Finally got it working at the end of the day, but it was frustrating.

I sent a letter to Clarks of England about some sandals I bought only three months ago. They are showing significant wear on the "toe" of the sole, and I haven't worn them very much. Very surprising, since I consider Clarks a quality shoemaker. Anyway, I sent a picture and a letter to the president of the company. I'm not really expecting anything, but I did want to express my disappointment.

Went to Target and Best Buy yesterday. The reason for the Target visit was to look for a small desk for our office. We found it is very difficult to find a desk shorter than 44 inches -- the standard length seems to be about 47 inches, but that won't work in our space.

While at Target I stocked up on cards I need for upcoming birthdays, etc. Also I bought an ice pack that looks like Thomas the Train to send to my grandson, who is definitely at the stage where he is getting "boo-boo's." About $30 altogether.

Then to Best Buy, where I needed to get advice on my laptop, which had a faulty USB port. I bought a USB card with two ports, which neatly solved the problem for $67.

I also paid a doctor bill -- $37.

I should not spend anything else until my credit card cycle ends -- June 11. That's a long time! Well, I have a little cash, too. I think I can make it. (If in fact we do find a desk, my cousin will be buying it, so that is no problem!)

Yesterday I renewed my AAA membership -- 14 months for $19.95, so a really good deal. (Technically I'm a new member, since I am in a new state.) I also got a pizza dinner for just the $4 I paid toward the tip for the delivery guy. My cousin paid the rest, at her insistence.

I keep getting statements from the insurance company about bills they are not covering, or not covering very much. I am not getting the actual medical bills, however -- not yet. I'm a little worried. I guess I'd better think seriously about switching to a doctor in my PPO. There aren't many of them around here, since I retired to an area far away from my place of employment. When I first came here, I just went to the same doctor other family members were already going to. Everyone in the family is crazy about her, and they'll be on my case if I switch. (They're already a little ticked off I'm not using the family-appointed hairdresser.) But nobody in my family has to live on the income I have, and they are all spendthrifts. AAWWWGGGHH!

Whaaa??? No one has entered yet? I'll take a stab.

1. I regret wasting way too much time in school, and not earning the degrees I was going for. I could have been in the job market so much sooner -- and not wasting money in tuition and books.

2. I regret not buying a house when I was young and had the opportunity to pay so little before real estate skyrocketed.

3. I regret not starting retirement savings until I was 38.

4. I regret spending so much on clothes when I was young. I didn't even consider secondhand clothing in those years -- and I had way too much. I especially regret a certain $200 red coat that I didn't wear much because it was too tight and too dressy.

5. I regret ever getting on the credit card merry-go-round. Nuff said.

6. I regret staying in jobs I didn't like, that didn't pay, that offered no upward mobility. Why was I so afraid?

7. I regret buying a house with only 10% down. I was afraid I would never have a house and sprang for a builder's deal.

8. I regret using money from my 403b for said down payment.

8. I regret all the "feel-good" spending I did after my divorce. It didn't really make me feel good, and I should have been building a foundation for my future.

9. I regret not getting interested in finances until my back was against the wall.

10. I regret not making saving a priority all my life.

I have heard others say, "I have no regrets." I say, I've had plenty. And boy, would I like to do some things over.

But I don't regret the relationships I have had, even failed ones, and I am very mindful that now I am in a good place in my life, and very grateful.

I forgot that PayPal was going to extract fees for my failed eBay attempt. I got an email this morning saying that they will take out $5.95 in ten days. That wouldn't be a problem, but I just stripped my checking account down to $5.25 -- transferred my "cushion" to savings. I started to transfer some back, but psychologically, I just don't want to do that. So sometime in the next ten days I will take some cash to put in the checking account.

I checked out Amazon this morning with the hope of selling some books. The titles I have are selling so low I don't think it's worth the effort. They're going into my garage sale instead.

I'm going to the dentist this morning to have a tooth filled. Since I know it will cost $175, I adjusted the dental fund accordingly. I also transferred $60 to the dental fund -- the amount left over this month after I paid my bills. I am only 25% funded, which is discouraging. I want to get the crowns by the end of the year, for tax purposes. I'll have to ramp it up!

My stimulus "check" was direct-deposited in my account on May 9. I immediately applied it to a credit card that was getting pretty full. (I pay off my credit cards in full every month). Just for fun I figured out what my $600 paid for:

Vet bill: $261
Groceries: $131
Restaurants: $64
Frontline for cats: $53
CoQ10 from health food store: $36
Gas: $33
Admittance for five to indoor playground: $20

I guess I stimulated the economy in a pretty well-rounded way!

I've been gone a few days -- had a nice trip to Indiana & Chicago -- to see my kids and some old friends. It was a pretty cheap trip, despite the high price of gas. Luckily I made it back before the 20c jump in the Midwest.

I've earned another $5 for a survey and $10 for placing in the blog contest, so that goes to the dental fund. Thanks to those who voted for my entry!

On Monday I get a tooth filled, so I'm glad to have that dental fund in place.

Had no luck at all with eBay -- will try again someday with cheaper items, but for now will concentrate on an upcoming garage sale.

My son found an apartment in Chicago -- $995 for one bedroom -- and he's very pleased. I understand it IS a good price for the market, and from the pictures it appears to be a very nice place, with new kitchen and bath, but nice old features like a fireplace (not working, but pretty) stained-glass window and built-in bookcases. Oh, and also a nice deck and yard space, which is unusual in Chicago. He's very excited, and so am I. Now both sons will be in Chicago, much easier for Mom to visit!

One nice financial coup while I was there -- two pairs of shoes from DSW for $15! Had a $50 coupon given to me, and I found two pairs on the discount rack, so it was quite the bargain. My sales slip said I saved $126!

Well, wish me luck today -- I'm wrangling with the doctor's office and insurance company. Looks like I paid $214 for two appointments in February, but they only filed $94 to the insurance company, so $120 never went toward my deductible. On my income that makes a big difference.

I also got my preliminary statement from the insurance company on my colonoscopy. They said the provider-- the gastroenterology office -- has filed a $900 charge and after insurance pays their portion, the office "may" charge me over $600. That doesn't count the fees for the doctor who performed it or for the anesthesiologist, which total over $1000. Those have been filed but not yet processed. The office hasn't billed me yet, so I don't know what I will actually be expected to pay, but it isn't looking good.

I'm starting to feel that as a healthy woman with no risk factors for cancer, I should have said no to the colonoscopy!

I just added $35 to my dental fund. I had an extra $10 in my checking account from rounding up cents to dollars. The other $25 is my automatic monthly transfer from check to savings.

I'm heading to Indiana on Wednesday -- as I've said before, I'm driving a friend and will be reimbursed for gas. It will be a chance for me to see friends and family. I have $300 extra in my budget this month and I am hoping there will be enough left after the trip to add more to the dental fund.

My eBay auction ends on Wednesday, so I will be taking the items along with me in case one of them sells! That wasn't very good planning! For what doesn't sell, I hope my sister-in-law will accept them to sell in her booth.

So far I haven't spent anything all month, but that will soon change!

I bought a bag of Starbucks at Ingles yesterday and got a PIN number to use at their website to order a Starbucks gift card. Only $5, but it will be useful sometime when I am traveling.

I added it to my "income streams" spreadsheet, as it is a sort of income.