So here is some good news....
I passed probation at my day job despite all of the headaches with my boss. She is still making it very clear that she dislikes me, but I have not given her a reason to write me up or get rid of me. Passing probation means a raise which is nice, but I am still keeping my eyes open for other opportunities.
I also expected my 2nd job to end in the middle of March, but here it is the end of April and I am still there. I appreciate the extra money so I am trying not to let the long days get to me.
My expense tracking is getting back on track and it is amazing how closely I look at receipts now. One of the things that stood out to me looking at the first few months of the year is how much money I spent on water. I am on the go a lot so it has been more convenient to buy bottled water whenever I am out. Well at some point I brought that habit home and started exclusively drinking bottled water at home too. Thinking back I realize I have done this for maybe 2-3 years! Judging by the water purchases this year I estimate I was spending a few hundred dollars a year which is pretty ridiculous. I purchased a new water pitcher and filter and fill up my 32 ounce bpa free water bottle (got it free at an event) daily.
I also settled on a smart way to adjust my finances to accommodate that annoying legal matter. I did not stop my debt repayments, but instead reduced entertainment/dining out costs, have temporarily stopped funding my EF and am using the portion of my tax return that I allocated for a secured credit card. All of that should be enough and once the courts do their thing this should all be over in a few months.
And one piece of not so good news.....
Rent is going up $60 per month. I get that building maintenance and common utilities are expensive, but on the other hand I feel like I should be rewarded for being a quiet, non-destructive long term tenant. Even with the increase I am still paying a below market rate which I know I am lucky to have. It is just a little annoying that I am finally starting to get ahead and have some breathing room and then this happens. It would be too costly and inconvenient for me to move at this time so I am going to eat the increase and keep focusing on my goals.
Some Success and a Snag
April 26th, 2015 at 03:38 am
April 26th, 2015 at 05:45 am 1430027154
April 26th, 2015 at 12:01 pm 1430049711
April 26th, 2015 at 04:54 pm 1430067280
Good on you for making so much progress on so many issues. Tracking spending is an important activity as some spendy avenues are easily lowered easily without any feeling of deprivation. I wondered how satisfying you were finding your new cookware. Would it be worth your while to call the landlord/managing company to ask if you can have the increase lowered since you have been a long term, model tenant, who makes no demands? BTW, have you managed to get renter's insurance to protect your possessions?
April 27th, 2015 at 02:55 am 1430103320
May 4th, 2015 at 05:10 am 1430716215
As for the renter's insurance, the company I was originally going to use turned out to be expensive and lacked coverage options so I have been getting quotes from elsewhere.
I pondered asking that my rent not be increased, but after surveying the market and the rising cost of utilities decided it likely is not worth it because I am still at a below market price. Also this is the place that did not evict me (or raise the rent) when I paid rent late and/or in pieces for an entire year because I was unemployed/underemployed. I have not verified the numbers yet, but I think my reductions in other household expenses will not only offset the rent increase, but still wind up with me spending less.