A bit of homework today.

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No, not actual work.  After months of not being very aware of my finances, simply hoping automatic payment was working, something triggered a review.  Well, and one of the things I did today was to call and regain access to one of my accounts.  Online access is required when that bank is over a thousand miles away.  But what triggered a review was a check, a return from my home escrow.  I have also received some other refunds.  The group totaled over $1300.  I was RICH!  I thought, initially, that I would... spend two to three hundred and plant the rest.  Then I started thinking back.  Hmm, I have been... spending like a Democrat.  So, a review was in order.  As well, when I checked the mail I also found most of my bills.

As it turns out that return money will just, exactly, put my nest egg at the level I wanted it.  In my local account.  My distant account gives me about the refund amounts total over my nest egg 'zero'.  However, while I have all the tools and parts for replacing the water heater, I don't have the water heater.  And there may be additional purchases to be made, so I don't consider the "extra" as extra at all.  Remember, I want to lay new flooring in there first.  That isn't going to just be the flooring, but possibly subflooring, and a drain of some sort (yes, yes, I WILL hook it into the main drain, fine, alrighty?).  Assuming I don't find more trouble under there than even that.  As well, a new toilet, new vanity, and a decent mirror would be very reasonable.  So, that "extra" thousand is looking more like a start.  The vanity may not be a choice, in any case, as it is attached to the floor and the wall.  If the floor is bad I will simply have no choice.  Thought that doesn't break my heart at all, until sticker shock hits me... but that's another story.  I can probably wait, or skip, a new toilet.  It... mostly works.  It's just so damned small!  If the floor is good this should be a breeze though... If I could just get to it!

Still, this puts my quickly shrinking nest egg back to rights and wakes me up.  Although I did notice that my phone is overpaid by nearly $200 and my electric utility bill is again at over $500 above what was due.  I'll... eventually get that paperwork to get the utility payment hooked directly to what is due... eventually.  That adds to having a little room to play, though, with the on suite bathroom upgrades.  Oh, and I did finally take care of that one nagging bill, the city utilities.  I paid $200, plus checks out to September, and probably more than what I owe each month.  Plus I ended up only owing about two months in back dues, so that I ended up overpaying by $130 or so right up front, which adds another nearly four months after September (maybe even another month by monthly overpayments too, maybe).  Yeah, my bills are... good.  My nest egg is good.  And payday is just around the corner.  I only pay on three actual debts currently.  The Xterra will take a bit, my home much longer, but the card is coming down just fine (though that card company sold out and I don't too much care for the company that bought it, any funny stuff and I'll sacrifice some nest egg and send the payments I had been sending to the card to my nest egg instead... no (interest rate) funny stuff).

What I need to start doing, and have never done well to date, is to tack things down.  I really didn't think I would make it to my mid 20's, then 30's.  But... here I am.  And I was moving quite a lot, still with dreams of some magical future, or at least near future.  To figure out costs, expenses, and create a budget.  With the nest egg I have a little room for error and to figure things out.  Once I have a reasonable handle on things, I then need to start tackling my home payments.  I would like to add 50%, perhaps 100% if I can swing it.  It would be fun to absolutely demolish that loan as fast and hard as I can.  I just have to make sure I don't try to squeeze myself too tightly.  I still need nominal improvements, repairs, common living, a little luxury, and a bit of breathing room.  How much?  I... I simply don't know yet.

Oh, no worries.  It'll take me six months to a year to ever get going on this.  You know me.  You KNOW me.  But, once a thing is realistically on my radar, eventually it will get hit.  Turtle 1 to control, I have a lock.  I repeat, I have a lock.  And I'm... well... right on that.  Yeah, YEAH, I'm... where's the button.  What?  Nap time...

Yeah, it is looking good.  It's looking better than it ever has for me.  Since I just can't seem to die as probability seems to dictate should be the case, I best get ready to survive to my 111th birthday.  If I make it, I know some doctor's graves I am going to find.  Yep, I'm going to piss on them.  And smoke a cigar while doing so, with a double scotch on the rocks hold the rocks, and probably hire a stripper to entertain me while I do it.   Just...  Some things are just going to have to happen, that's all.  I hope God will forgive.  Still, I have to wonder if He won't have just a touch of understanding too.  Yipee kiyeah... *mumbles* psychopathogens.

Well, dinner arrived!  I am hungry.  Have a great day!