Well - I spent this weekend practising thankfulness for what I do have.

I do indeed owe the hubby another 35K and then he's out of my life, no alimony, etc.

I did not expect this, and I'm still upset that the lawyer's office didn't explalin this to me. However, I was saving up before for a worst case scenario.

My last big asset is my 401K, which I can't touch yet because half of it goes to the exhusband.

When I know what I have left in the 401K, I'll try to do most of my financing on that, because at least then I'll be paying myself interest. I may put all or part of my savings and emergency funding into paying him back too. I'm not sure yet. I have to pay the balance of the loan to the 401K back in 5 years.

What I am sure of is that I'm cutting back a lot more. This weekend I took some of the cans in the garage in and got $10.50, which I used to help pay for groceries. I went to the dollar store and found my favorite lemon juice and stocked up. Other than that, everything was from a list. If it wasn't on the list, I didn't buy it. I ate before I went shopping so I wouldn't be tempted to buy anything that looked delicious.

I made big pot of chili from meat in the freezer and cheese rolls. I froze some chili ahead. I spent $50.59 on groceries, $18 of which was the stockup item.

I got a check for $25 from the loan company for the appraisal (apparently I overpaid or they gave me a rebate). I banked it.

I went to the library and took out books. I have a year's membership at the zoo and when the weather in the desert gets down from 109, I'll start spending more time there. I played world of warcraft on line (I pay ahead 6 months on the subscription) where I have more money in gold then I do in real life. Sigh.

I will not be beaten.

Miz Pat

Oh Guys, please pray for me. My attorney's office is telling me now that I have to pay my ex for 60% of the total value of my house, not 60% of the equity. This means i have to pay my ex another $30 to 35K.

I asked them about the phrase and they told me it was all okay and in legal language and not to worry and now they are saying they had nothing to do with me signing the forms, they don't remember me saying that, and they want me to just talk to the attorney.

I trusted them to listen to me and protect my rights and interests in this. I am so Screwed right now.

Miz Pat

I went on vacation with my family for 2 weeks (planned and purchased tickets months ago for maximum savings).

I spent way more than budget on little things, but forgot when I was planning that my sister has 6 kids and a grand-daughter and I kept buying little meals and snacks. I should have had a bigger budget to start with and its been 7 years since I was last there and about 10 years since my last vacation, so it was sort of a wild spend-thrift fling. I had budgeted around $300, and I spent $800.

When I rate my spending on a 1 - 10 for satisfaction scale, I feel everything was a joyous 10. I purchased cute little gifts for Christmas presents later in the year, little rememberances for friends, toys for nieces and a hat for the nephew, a wool jacket for one niece, books, and really expensive but good fudge.

And there was a difference now, because I kept a constant running tab, and knew at all times what I had spent, and how much over budget I was.

So even though I went over my budget, I felt like I had the controls to make the decision and know the price, and to realize I had just not made a good budget estimate in the first place.

Being with family was so good. Seeing how the kids have grown was fabulous.