Plans for today.

• Call ATT to get a lower rate/change plans
• Call T-Mo_bile to get a lower rate/change plans
• Call local cable companies to see if they can beat plans from above

B's car died again. We really run our cars til the end because of our far commutes. This time she needs 3 wheels fixed (but not tires, something is bent) and a front suspension rod. Once all that is fixed they can reevaluate and see if that takes care of the grinding. We are looking at between $450-$1000. 2 days before Christmas. Who am I kidding, we wouldn't have that kind of money 2 weeks before Halloween. At least not in 2008. 2008 was a rough year. Things didn't go our way much at all. I am expecting 2009 to be so much better. It has to be.

So in the meantime, I don't know what we are going to do if the mechanic does not agree to a payment plan. So our plan so far is, scrounge up the lower end of the range, and get the F*cus driveable. Get it back to our side of town (B left it by her work last night and I went to go pick her up). Then every 2 weeks get something else fixed on it. It will be realtight for the next few months, but we can make it work. We have to.

Then, perhaps after tax return, look into leasing a third vehicle to put in our driving rotation. It seems excessive, but it would help on the wear and tear of our other old(er) vehicles. Our friends, J and S, do this and they have it worked down to a science.

So now, I work out another budget. We just started paying back my student loans from grad school....eek. And this is the first year we have been without the extra cash from student loans, so its a double hit. We will make it work.

I forgot that in January our 403b company is switching. I refuse to be the guinea pig in the switch, so I am holding off putting any money into my account until next fall. Because of this, we will have a little bit of extra money coming home. This will help.

Any other suggestions would be welcome. I have a ton of things ready for a garage sale in the spring and I am babysitting during winter break to earn some more cash. I work Homework Club after school 2 days a week and tutor on a 3rd. I feel like I am just treading water right now. We are very fortunate to have food, shelter, love, etc, and I have to keep that in mind.

Now I'm rambling and I have to go get ready for the munchkins to arrive. B will be home with us for the majority of the day, which is awesome. It's so much easier with 2 adults!

Things to do once the kiddos leave:

• Dishes
• Shoveling
• Straighten up