Money

Everyone told me, "It's so much cheaper to fly!" but it really wasn't. Driving would have taken approximately four fillups (1.5 for each trip, times two, plus one for getting around the state), and at not-quite $40/fillup at current prices, that would have left me at around $160. Add in the tolls, and you're at about $200. The plane ticket cost me $229, plus tax, making it around $260. Boarding the dog cost me $140, but it also sort of required me to get him updated on his shots, something I admittedly should have done anyway, but I was only a couple of months late on Kennel Cough and Distemper (Rabies is good for another two years). But he was there, so we also did the whole exam. Total cost for his exam and the cat's, plus his stay, plus diarrhea medicine for the stress diarrhea he got while there? $425. Now we're up to $685. The rental car cost me $137. I got the Economy for $15/day, but once they guilt you into getting the insurance at $20/day, plus tax, plus gas, it all adds up. Now we're up to $802. Gas for the rental car cost me $40. Now we're at $842. Eight-hundred and forty-two dollars to go to a wedding, and I'm not even counting the tux ($125) or the gift (not yet purchased, because I'm flat broke).

And, yes, I am flat broke, and will probably spend this summer surviving on credit cards, which really sucks. My savings have gone to pay for my classes. If you've missed my complaining about it every year, Baltimore teachers do not get paid in the summers, nor do we have the option of having our pay spread out for twelve months. You can, however, set up a savings account at the credit union, which I have done, but it's not even close to the same as just getting paid for twelve months. I'm doing a lot better with money than I used to - my credit score is halfway decent now - but reading all the Suze Orman in the world isn't helping me get ahead. I'm just not behind anymore.

I just have to remember that after the fall, I'll have my MAT, which means a $6,000 raise, which will make dumping all the money into these graduate classes worth it. Eventually.