That is because the tooth can't be saved.  It has to be extracted.  The oral surgeon talked to me about an implant, but I don't have that kind of money.  So it will just be gone.  I suppose I will get used to it, but I am pretty upset about the whole situation.  However, the extraction is going to cost around $300 less than the root canal.

I went to the store last week and spent $54.  I don't need anything right now so I should make it with spending less than $100 on groceries this month.  There are things I want, but nothing I need.  

I figured up my expenses for the check on the 15th and I will still be able to pay 6 months of car insurance in one lump sum.  I didn't think I would be able to with the tooth situation.  That is something I have never, ever been able to do.  So that is something to celebrate.  Now if I could just get rid of my car payment.  Or at least lower it.  Right now I am upside down on the loan so doing anything isn't really an option.  Just treading water on it.  Perhaps I can start to tackle that now that everything else is paid off.

I have put off getting a root canal until I can no longer put it off.  The tooth is infected and the root canal is the only way to get rid of the infection, according to my dentist.  I tried a round of antibiotics but that didn't heal it.  At least I am not in any pain.  I hope to have it done early next week.

I have been trying to eat from what I have at home and have been avoiding the grocery store.  I have a ton of food so it shouldn't be a problem.  I did buy some mushrooms and made some risotto this weekend.  It just isn't as good as it used to be and I don't know what I am doing differently.  Maybe I am not using a good wine for it.  I am not a wine drinker so I don't know if it is good or not.

I get my weekly free lunch today.  My work purchases lunch every Wednesday so it is something to look forward to, except I am the one that has to coordinate it!  LOL  But that also means I get to decide where we eat from.  So being the planner has its perks.

I have been doing a good job with my credit card.  I only have one and I only charge $20 a month on it in order to build up my credit score.  I have it on auto pay so I don't have to worry about it.

Gotta run...lunch is here!

With the bonus I received and the refund from the medical procedure, I was able to pay off 2 hospital bills and an ambulance bill.  I now only have one debt that I will start paying on, that is to my landlord.  She is a family friend that wanted me to get solvent before making her a priority.  I am lucky to have her.

My car insurance is up for renewal and they raised my rates by more than 10%!  I had a ticket, for the first time in 20 years.  I was able to find a plan for $200 less plus I can save an additional $200 if I pay in full instead of monthly payments.  For the first time ever, I will be able to do that.  It's not due until the fifteenth of March, so I have some time, but I already have it allocated.

In 2021, I had a medical procedure done that I had to pay the deductible for before insurance covered it.  Apparently insurance paid more than they thought because I received a check in the mail today for $844.  It was quite a shock opening that envelope!  I quickly deposited the check.  I also deposited the $30 check I received for Jury Duty.  Those items plus the checking account reward add up to over $1300 this week in found money!  And I'll have more when I get paid on Monday with the unexpected bonus I will be receiving!  I plan on paying my 6 month car insurance premium in full instead of making payments.  That will save me $200.  

It just never fails that when I am being smart and responsible money just shows up for me.

NGG here...I had to start a new blog as I lost access to my previous email address.  

I have lots on the financial front to share.  First, I have to say that I am blessed to have found the job I have.  They have been so good to me.  They purchased my glasses for me as a bonus and then this week I was told that I would be getting a profit sharing bonus!  They have treated me like I have been here for years instead of 6 months!

I opened an account with a local bank in November with a rewards certificate for $500.  I received that bonus today and it went straight into my savings account.

I have my debt down to 2 hospital bills, an ambulance bill and my car payment.  I am trying to get my car loan down to the value of the car so I can sell it and reduce that payment.  I would love to get rid of that payment all together, but I don't see that happening.  Buying this car was not the smartest thing I have done and I wish I could go back and change it, but since I can't I will work toward fixing the problem as best as I can.  I am making regular payments on the hospital and ambulance bills and they should be paid off within 6 months.

At some point, I am going to have to get a root canal done, but I am putting it off as long as I can as my dental insurance doesn't cover it.  I just hate spending that money, but it will have to be done.