I'm an optimist at heart. But it really stinks when things derail my progress. After having all of my car problems in July, and thinking they were behind me, I now need a hot water heater! We have had water in our basement for a few weeks, and finally got it checked out today. $45 for the house call to investigate the problem, then they offered to replace the hot water heater with the exact same model for, are you ready for this, $1160! I told them I'd call if I decided to go with them. In the meantime, I'm giving myself a quick education in hot water heaters online and trying to figure if we can get a better deal. We have a good relationship with a plumber that we use, so if I can find a good model relatively cheap, I don't think the labor will kill me. But either way, it seems like it will be another $750 or so... I have no idea how old it is, because it was here when we moved in 10 years ago.

What a bummer. Today is my at home day. The kids and I will be hanging out in the pool later, then I need to pick up that bracelet that's been ready for weeks, and go to CVS to pick up two prescriptions that will be reimbursed by my FSA.

Final August 1 Spending:
Tolls $1.40
Parking/Ferry tickets $37.00
Bagel w/ cc $1.00
Stamps 1.11
Lunch $3.99
Dry Cleaner $24.00
Gas $45.00

Total: $113.50

Thoughts on this: Everything was budgeted for except the bagel, lunch, and stamps. I need to get motivated to bring food to work with me. Also, the price of gas is absolutely crazy! Oh well, back to looking at water heaters...