Things here, money-wise, appear to be on auto-pilot. On target to reach goal for income taxes on-time, then I'll start tackling the goals for the remainder of the year:
(1) $1K to debt
(2) $1K to savings
(3) $1.5K to 2013 property tax payments
(4) $750 to high school tuition (leaving $850)
(5) $750 to elementary school tition (leaving $850)
I've gone so far as to make a spreadsheet with eight boxes (I'm accomplishing these in eight bimonthly payments (I think that it is "bimonthly" meaning twice IN the month and not EVERY second month, but correct me if I'm wrong) 
Best friend is falling apart (again), found love with a Middle Eastern man who dumped her, hates her new job, decided not to relocate after finding a long-term renter (two year lease) for her place, and is a month behind on her mortgage (though she worked it out with the bank it is still showing up on her credit) and it will most likely prevent her from renting the over-her-budget adorable little house in a nice suburb. She's having issues with high blood pressure and I actually suggested she go the ER beause I was afraid of a stroke (it was 160 on top and her head was feeling 'wierd'). I think I've finally gotten to the point where I don't feel so "intruded upon" by her neediness. I'd rather have more contact for a minimum of time (three calls of 10 minutes versus one 30 minute call at dinner time). I've made an effort to have her over more (she came for dinner last Friday and then came over with lunch on Tuesday). I'm trying to encourage her to have a plan, in small increments, and then follow-thru. She has a bad dog, so can't stay in my place if she's homeless. Oh, I could go on and on, but it makes me sad she's in her present state.
Took older daughter shopping last night for school shoes. The ones she wanted were $70; I gave her the $35 I would have paid and she agreed to be responsible for the upgrade. We went to Shoe Carnival and they didn't have the ones she really wanted (Sperry topsiders in some different color combination). Bless her heart, she spent $24 on a pair of non-Sperrys that she "really liked!!"
So I've thought about money goals, best friend drama, and smart money shoe spending
Giving some thoughts to life
August 9th, 2012 at 04:03 pm
August 9th, 2012 at 05:23 pm 1344533029
That is so, so sad about your friend. I hate feeling helpless (and mostly hopeless) when it's someone you care about but there's almost no chance of getting them to act in their own best interest. My best friends are the same way. Not quite as messed up as yours maybe, or maybe they just hide it better. Hard to tell; we don't hang out as much because our lives are on somewhat different tracks. Hopefully your encouragement will lead to some small positive changes in her behavior/situation.
August 9th, 2012 at 06:20 pm 1344536425
In publishing, 'Bi' means every other as bi-monthly, or bi annually but in most other application it means 'twice' as in your pay. Those vagaries of the English language, sends my Thai, Korean and Chinese students into tizzies.
August 11th, 2012 at 12:53 am 1344646392
August 12th, 2012 at 05:49 pm 1344793791
Jerry