Debt $ense

I just went into my bank account online to see how tight my cash flow was going to be this month. I thought I would have to skip a weekly CC payment to cover some of my extra expenses because of the dental bills and some other unexpected costs, but it looks like I’ll make it through with exactly enough. I have $53 and change in my account now, and I’ll have $53 and change at the end of the month. I won’t put any money in my pinch-point account, but I’d rather do that then skip a CC payment, at least short-term.

My next dentist appointment is May 30, so I have a little bit of wiggle room on that. June’s also going to be tight, but I can make it work. My birthday’s the end of this month, and one family member usually includes a dollar for every year, so that gives me a little extra cash.

My other goal is to save enough from my weekly spending money to still put at least $75 toward an extra CC payment at the end of the month. I’ve got $32 already, plus what’s in my change jar at home (probably $15-$20). I’m also hoping to get the prize at work, though I might have to split it with the photographer. (Half of $50 is better than all of nothing, and with his help, I think it could be really cool.) I’m also going to check out the consignment stores nearby this weekend when I’m up that way at the book fair and see if I can convert some of my old clothes (some even with tags) into cash by the end of the month.

I’m also planning to stash at least $30 for running sneakers out of the next two paychecks. That gets me halfway there, plus I asked for a gift card to the store for my birthday.

I was reading somewhere today (forgive me - I forget where) that Barnes & Noble now has B&N University, which offers free courses. Since my values ladder when I worked through David Bach’s “Smart Women Finish Rich” had me realizing how much I want learning opportunities, I thought it sounded like a great idea.

I’m signed up for two courses - financial freedom for women, using Bach’s book; and writing a mystery novel, using two books I already have. A third course on Mozart looked promising, but I was waiting to sign up until I checked out the reading list at the library.

B&N obviously makes money by being the easiest way to get the books used for each course. But my local library has the required books for the two courses I don’t already own books for, as well as most of the supplemental reading for Mozart. Since assignments are weekly, and each course is only four weeks, I figure I can make do with library books. (This might even prompt me to pay my library fine so I can actually check the books out instead of spending time in the reading room.)

I’ll also check the book fair this weekend when they open to see if they have Bach’s book or two of the Mozart books. The book fair sells new books at 60 to 90 percent off, but is only open for two weeks at a time, six times a year. It’s a good way to get books for gifts and new books at a huge discount - often for less than a used book stoer would charge. I’m going up to look for course books, as well as a couple of PF books I’ve been wanting to pick up. I’ll keep them in good shape and sell them at a used book store in August, along with a bunch of others on my shelves.

My department head is running a design contest for the cover of our annual graduation issue. Prize is $50, which would be nice. (The potential professional feather in my cap is something else entirely.) I came up with an idea last night, but I need about six tassels to make it work. So I have to start asking around today about borrowing some because I need to create the cover this weekend. (Deadline’s Wednesday, but I’m out of town Monday-Wednesday.)