1) Payday and rent collection is Friday, and I've managed to cut the finances very close, closer than usual. We had our weekend away on 3/3 (had higher gas costs, two meals out, and the cost of the water park tickets). Our extaneous funds also included paying for camp this summer ($190) and dance shoes for my daughter ($150) so that helped wipe out the balance that I usually try to carry. So today I started with $25 less $10 DH is putting in his gas tank. I'm off to Aldi's to buy a gallon of milk, eggs and bananas. So dinner tonight looks like it is left overs (which will put together a very odd/random smorgasborg) and waffles tomorrow. Breakfast and lunch items until mid Friday will be very basic (peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches and apples and pretzel, plus toast and apple slices). Been awhile since it's been like this!

2) With the two remaining pay periods this month (16th and 30th), I'll be able to pay the remaining $500 contribution to my IRA, and should finish out with a $15,000 balance in the EF.

3) Yesterday, DD and I went to her high school. I dropped off all remaining paperwork for the application and financial aid, plus the $550 deposit. We went to buy her a t-shirt and they didn't take debit cards, only cash or checks. DD was a bit disappointed, but quickly pointed out that we'll be back next Tuesday to finalize her Fall schedule and we can pick it up then.

4) A neighbor on the far end of our subdivision (of 110 houses) has two girls who are soph/jr at the same school. We started talking yesterday when I was walking the dogs. She encouraged me have my daughter try out for pom poms (she's the parent of previous Irish dancers) in April - a great way to make friends and while it is competitive, my girls should have a chance). Suprising, DD agreed it might be fun, and then she and her sister were doing dance routines in the living room all night. Oh, to be young again with the whole vast experience of high school stretching out ahead ... (wistful sigh)

5) MIL has in the past been snarky about our finances. In particular, two years ago I was placing an order for "spirit wear" at our school (items like T-shirts and sweatshirts and hoodies with the school name and logo that can be personalized with your family last name). At that point DH wanted BOTH a t-shirt and a hoodie. I had to laugh because he's not even a student at the school. I told him to pick one because I had to buy for the five students who go there. MIL heard me say this and said, "It hurts me to hear you say that my son can't have both." and I think I laughed and said something like "Well, you pay for one of them." Two weeks later, MIL sent a check for the second item. At Christmas she was here and we were talking about DH's exercies class/working with a personal trainer. He used his Christmas money for that ($280) and she said something like, "Well, I hope that this is something that he can continue with throughout the year." And I said something like, "After $300 a month for dance lessons, $86 a month for music lessons, and $60 for the Y membership, that probably isn't a realistic thing." Since then, MIL's been sending $100 - $125 a month for DH's exercise class. I haven't comingled or touched those funds and I can plunker down $300 for the next go around (April-June).

6) Summer remains in suburban Chicago, but for how long?