[dlrcpa]

Eye doctor (me) and vet visit (dog1) costs this week were reasonable. My credit union is giving me 5X points for credit card charges during April, some crazy promotion. So anything big needing paid will happen then by credit card. Like dog1's dental cleaning and blood work I hope.

 

[RedSpruce]

Heading out shopping tonight. DD#2 and her DH want to treat us to a supper out tomorrow night. They won’t tell us where, but they did warn us there was a dress code! I need some shoe polish and possibly dye for my leather purse. I scrambled to find something other than blue jeans. So did Hubby. He came in with a light coloured casual suit jacket with elbow patches and khaki pants, asking if that was okay. Meanwhile…

My DD sent a copy of the menu. No restaurant name and no prices. I looked at him and said “No, it’s too casual.” Poor Hubby! He pulled out his grey dress pants and navy blazer. I picked out a shirt. He was dressed in greys and blues and put on a brown/rust/red tartan tie! I didn’t have the heart to tell him it clashed awfully. I’ll deal with it tomorrow. I had him help me pick out a nice top and jewelry for me. I need to fix a hem in my pants.

I’ll be surprised if they don’t seat us by the kitchen door, out of sight of other people in the establishment.

Eating out can be stressful. Another reason to eat in.

 

[Spirit Deer]

I spent today scrambling to get the house more organized after getting an unexpected call from carpenters wanting to come and start Sheetrock, then installing new insulation to replace what the electricians ripped out yesterday, and also doing a lot of cleaning. I expect that saved us quite a bit. We also ran out of insulation, but had some odds and ends that had been in our garage for yrs. That worked to fill in. It was a little mousy but useable. I don't want to think what a roll of insulation would cost locally.

We also located, at literally the last minute before leaving today, the partial roll of heavy plastic the building inspector recommended putting over the insulation. That saved $30 vs buying a new roll. We rarely use it so we didn't need any more of it laying around we don't use.

Small savings here and there, better than nothing.

 

[RedSpruce]

Spent $180 CAD by the time we got home from shopping. They had grow lights for $60 each. - or $120. I wanted two. Then the shoe and purse cleaner and polish. Plus a scuff eraser…basically black dye in a bottle with an applicator on top. I ended up buying a shoe polishing kit because it was cheaper to do it that way. So all the shoe stuff was about $25. Plus Hubby bought a video for I don’t know how much, and I bought a pack of dress socks for $3. Add 15% tax and there you have it.

 

[rujerro]

I have a money question and need your thoughts!

I need dental work and eye surgery and have a credit card balance. I can pay for all of these by cashing out part of my IRA. The IRA is not big by any means but is enough for these items with some left over. With the dollar values dropping and the intro of digital currency coming in July, do you think I should do this? If I don't, my credit card will take all of this and who knows when I can pay it all back.

 

[Contrary Housewife]

I'm not sure how digital currency plays into this. It's a money transfer system, for banks and government payments.

• Is your IRA the kind you have to pay taxes on upon withdrawal?
• Is it possible to get a zero interest credit card to use for the dental work?
• Does your dentist or eye doctor offer financing/payment plans for the surgery?

 

[dlrcpa]

Do you have medical insurances and if so how much percentage are they paying for these procedures? Not clear if you are covering the entire cost or just part. Medical insurances usually have out of pocket limits.
Have you looked into a Home Equity Line of Credit as a lower-cost loan? Should beat credit card rates into the dust.

 

[rujerro]

Thanks for the insights on my money question!

CH- Yes, the IRA is traditional and my guess is that I'd have to pay income taxes as well as a 10% penalty. I didn't even think of a no-interest credit card or ask about financing.

Dlrcpa- Yes, I've looked into what my medical and dental insurance covers. The expenses are after the deductible and this is what I would pay out of pocket. My out of pocket limit is very high. My dental insurance doesn't cover anything other than cleanings. I have not looked into a HELOC but am sure the interest is less than a CC!