An Update on My Fabulous Financials
- HSBC redeemed itself for this stunt. Reversal of the unauthorized debit and refund of the INSF fees were credited to my account overnight. But I’m still irritated by that phone call.
- Despite their screw up, I managed to save and invest ~$6,000 last month, in addition to my 401k. No, I’m not a saving fanatic. Ok, yes I am. But most of it came from an extra paycheck in October.
- I received a $10 tax bill for my dog. *scooby doo look* Why is the county imposing a tax on my pet? Can I claim my pet on my taxes now? Better yet, can I claim this tax as a deduction on my state or federal taxes?
- I submitted a $350 dental claim to my “PPO” insurance company. But get this, because my dentist is “out of network,” I will only be reimbursed $83.50. This means I have to pay $266.50 out of pocket for an annual exam, cleaning, and routine xrays. Ouch! I love our dentist and we’ll keep seeing him, but I may have to negotiate some of his fees.
- Research says indoor allergens are more harmful than outdoor allergens. BabyGirl’s asthma has been acting up lately, so I paid $260 to have my furniture upholstery and carpets cleaned throughout my entire apartment. This could be all in my mind, but I swear, it feels like even I can breathe better. Now I understand why people prefer all hardwood floors.
- Once you go Nordstrom, you can’t go back. My feet are not fond of cheap shoes anymore.
- My mortgage is increasing $32 to beef up the escrow account. This annoys me because for the past three years, my mortgage company has given me an escrow refund. The first year, my mortgage went down because they said I overpaid in the escrow account. The second year, my mortgage went up (with a refund) because they said I didn’t have enough in the escrow account. The third year, my mortgage went back down again. And now the fourth year, it’s up. All of this paperwork, monitoring and adjustments to balance a freaking escrow account. Umm, how about this? I can pay my own dern taxes and insurance!
- I’ve decided that I’m having a Game Night/Holiday Party for my birthday – friends, games, food, and mixed drinks. This is a milestone birthday year and I can’t wait for my “season” to begin!
- I’ve been in a writing mood and have several posts scheduled to publish over the next week. Shocked? LOL
- My weight has been going in the wrong direction. I prayed for God to help me lose weight. I asked for understanding. I need to understand what causes me to lose sight of my weight loss goal so I can overcome it. I asked for motivation. No one does exactly what they’re supposed to do every single day, but I need motivation to get back on the horse when I fall off. Why did a personal trainer move into my apartment community? Guess where? Right next door! How do I know? Because he put up flyers to offer his services (exercise and nutrition advice) in our neighborhood fitness facility. God is funny!
Have a fabulous weekend!
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Have you read the Fabulous Financials comment policy lately?
So tell the mortgage company that you are going to be responsible for your taxes and insurance! You don’t have to do that whole escrow scene. I don’t.
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- Congrats on the savings and investing!
- Our allergies lessened a lot after getting hardwood (well, Pergo) in our first floor. However, the last owners also had pets, so it was time to replace the carpets with something else anyway
- I feel for you on the escrow. I’ve also gotten refunds the last 2 years, but now this year I owe about $450 into the escrow fund, or about $40 more per payment.
@Beth, I’d personally rather just have one payment (mortgage, taxes and insurance) than to try to remember to save up those amounts and pay them separately. So they make interest on it, but at least it gets paid.
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Oh, so much to comment on:
1. I feel you on cheap shoes. I was told as a teenager by my guardian that I needed to get a good education because I could not wear cheap shoes. She was soooo right. I look at cheap shoes and my feet start to hurt. LOL
2. We pay our own taxes, home owners insurance, etc. Been doing it for years…works great and I like earning the interest on my money.
3. I, too, am having a game night soon. Can’t wait for the fun.
4. Don’t speak on the weight thing…I am going in the wrong direction as well. I know what is wrong…I just have to do it and not just TRY to do it, to coin a phrase.
5. I am a big fain of hardwood floors. They are all practically all over my house. Does help keep the allergens down.
6. Glad you are in a writing mood. Understood, of course, but missed your point of view out here just the same.
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Escrow – I had that problem with my first house and started paying my own taxes after that. Unfortunately with my most recent loan, they would only allow me to forego escrow if my loan to value was 75% (I think that was the rate) – anyway, I’m back to the dreaded escrow and I hate it!
I feel you on the weight issue – I say a prayer every morning and take it day by day. I know my problem is stress and I normally deal with stress by working out but the long work days are messing with my workout schedule. I’m going to get it together for sure.
Looking forward to the upcoming posts.
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My mortgage company won’t allow me to pay my own taxes and insurance at all. I don’t mind since they pay everything in plenty of time. If their little shenanigans make them happy, I don’t really mind. And the amount of interest I could earn myself is quite small; about $23/year at current interest rates!
My mortgage will be paid off in three years; then I’ll get to pay my own taxes and insurance. That’ll show them. Then I’ll have to do my own shenanigans to make sure I always have enough!
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