4/14 recap and TAXES!! Eeek!

Yesterday I didn't spend a dime!! Wow, can't believe I've been tracking expenses for two weeks now! Feels great to have a goal and stick with it.

I put off doing my taxes until last night. As it turns out I owe $51 to the State of California and $101 to the Feds. The bright side is that I only owe $152. The downside is that I didn't plan on owing so I didn't budget (hah, if you can call my sorry ass excuse for a budget a budget!) for this! I'm going to mail everything off but pay electronically when I get paid on the 30th. I do have the money in my account for this but I'm close. I'm afraid if I pay this now something will happen and I will have to use my credit cards. I think it's better to put this off two weeks and pay the minor penalty than have to use my credit cards with their outrageous APRs.

I have to admit, sometimes I feel a little frustrated by all of this. I start to feel like I'm making progress but then something occurs (car accident, taxes, etc.) to put a dent in whatever I've done. I know, I KNOW (!) things will get easier . . . I'll get better at saving and anticipating expenses like taxes (I mean, hello Mal it's not like taxes are new to you! They happen every year!) . . . I've only been doing this for a handful of weeks so I still have so much to learn . . .

I guess I'm just used to instant gratification. I want to be financially secure and I want it now!

Too bad life doesn't work that way. I'll keep going and trying . . . every day I'm getting better - more self aware, more self-confident, more financially savvy and aware!