Though I go back to work tonight, I'm excited. Yes, I'll have to endure eight hours on the clock of a large retail business. However, I'll have been paid by the time I clock out at 7 AM CST. This is no ordinary payday.
It's a chance to get ahead on a few things.
Normally, I use one payday to cover rent and a couple of important things at or near the end of the month while using the other to cover utilities and other expenses. This month, I'm getting paid three times because of how the calendar works out.
In order to move into the place I currently reside in, I had to make some sacrifices and borrow some money to take care of expenses from moving out of the old place. When it comes to debt, it's easy to get in, but it's hard to get out.
Thanks to some maneuvering of my own at the end of 2012, I was able to position myself to actually get ahead on a few other consumer debts that I have. One of them will be a credit card that I had when I was in college.
It's long since expired, and I did not even bother asking for a new one.
The cool part about an expired card is that it's easier to pay off since it can't be used for purchases. The income tax refund I get this year will solely be used to pay it off the rest of the way. Any remainder will be applied towards other consumer debt.
If I play my cards right, I'll hopefully pay off at least three of my consumer debts this year. If I'm really fortunate, I might pay off even more.
How I'm Reducing Expenses
I don't eat out anymore. After all, that would wreck the eating habits that I'm trying so hard to adapt to (low carb). That alone has allowed me to save money for other things such as paying for utilities and other expenses. I bring my own lunch to work and all I drink is water.
I also don't drive or do more laundry than is necessary at the moment. I had enough money to do a little bit more laundry this week. Next week, I might take the opportunity to do even more.
Doing What Needs to Be Done
I will need to get an oil change on my car soon. I'm definitely going to use this payday as an opportunity to get the oil that I prefer. I may also begin budgeting for obtaining parts for a tune-up. I know I had a parts store print out a list of items I'll need in order to get that done. If I can't find it, I'll have to go back and ask again.
Unfortunately, cleaning up the living quarters didn't happen like planned. I'll see what I can do in the next couple of days. I visited a couple of friends yesterday, and the friends I was planning to visit will happen this coming Monday instead (four day weekend for them because of the next holiday).
