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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Good, Bad, Awesome

It's been a busy week for me, and this blog is suffering for lack of attention.   I'm going to copy the theme of Mysti's post over at makingsenseofcents and just give you the highlights of my week.

The GOOD: 

I've updated my information and name change with Social Security and the DMV.  I am in possession of  my new driver's license, which I won't have to renew again until 2020.   

I found out that you can wash potatoes in your dishwasher.  I put all 10 pounds of potatoes in the top rack and ran the dishwasher as usual, omitting the detergent.   Then I baked the potatoes in the oven.  Once they cooled down, I sliced them open and scooped out the insides for Loaded Baked Potato Soup.  Yummy.  And economical since I bought the potatoes on sale last weekend for $2.88 for 10 pounds.  

The BAD:

The driver's license cost me $54.25.  That's more than I was expecting, the last time I updated my address it was only $10.   I was expecting it to cost about $25 dollars.

I have $5 in cash and $3.64 in the bank until I get paid next week.  It shouldn't be a problem, but that's cutting it a little too close. 

The AWESOME:

My cousin's currently unemployed husband fixed a bunch of things that were wrong with my Mom's car.  I worry about her and it's nice to know that she's all set mechanically for awhile.  For $500 he changed the oil, replaced the radiator, fixed the headlights, replaced the tie-rods, replaced the busted wheel covers, detailed the car, put in new floor mates, seat covers and steering wheel cover.  He also pounded out most of the dents where a deer had hit it, and tuned it up.   She says it's like having a new car.

Also awesome:  The debt I owe to Home Depot is actually on my Mom's card.  I recently changed banks, and in order to change my method of payment on the HD website I needed some information from her; the card security number and the last 4 digits of her social security number.  She ended up making a payment in person because we couldn't seem to connect on the phone for a couple of weeks.  I called her and she was moving into her new house, and she'd call me and I was driving, etc.    Anyway, when she made the payment, she took the money she'd made from selling my Dad's old tractor and put half of it toward the HD card.   It almost paid half of the balance, so I should be able to wipe out the remaining balance soon.   

Friday, November 4, 2011

Just Say No

While we were in the Judge's waiting room the day of my divorce my ex-husband reminded me (demanded, really) to call the car insurance company and have my name removed from his policy.  I had waited to start my own policy on the advice of the insurance company rep; some law requires you to name your spouse on your policy and then I'd have to get him to remove his name from my new policy, etc.   I told him it would have to wait until payday, which was yesterday.  

First thing yesterday, I called the insurance company and made the switch to my own policy.   It's $20 more per month than what I was paying as a married person, but hey, you can't buy happiness.   (actually you can...it's $422 to get divorced in the State of Florida)  I sent my ex-husband a text letting him know I changed over and that he'd probably need to call and find out what his new insurance rate is, being that he's no longer getting the "married rate".

Several hours later I get a text saying  "There's still a final payment of $116 on the 10th of this month, are you going to pay your half of it?"     Umm, how about NO?   I'm no longer on his policy.  We don't pay ahead, the payment comes out on the 10th of the month and covers the premiums until the 10th of the next month.   I was removed effective yesterday, so therefore I owe nothing, correct? 

I'm sticking to my guns and not paying it, unless everyone out there says I'm wrong, and if so I'll happily pay it.   My ex is a complete bully when it comes to money, and I've had enough. 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Welcome

Today marks my first day as a divorcee.   I set up this page simply so I could easily follow/comment on some of my favorite blogs, but I find myself drawn to putting something down in black and white to commemorate this moment in my life.

One of the biggest reason we divorced is that we had different goals in life.  I wanted to be financially stable, he wanted to be continually drunk.   Those goals were mutually exclusive.   The last 5 months, being separated, living alone, have been awesome.  I feel like I'm on the right path to some financial stability.  And I plan to use this blog to help me stay that way.