Some of the options I’m facing mean financial risk. Means a change in my salary structure and it means I need to do some planning. I was paying some bills and checking my online visa recent transactions. I’ve been waiting for my visa transactions to come through — my ring’s payment, in particular. It’s not posted yet, but I had a moment of freaking out because the ‘balance owing’ doesn’t match the transactions. What I mean is I’ve paid off last month’s visa bill, so the transactions that are on my visa should all add up to the balance, but it doesn’t. It’s substantially off. If I add up the transactions, and include the cost of the ring the numbers are close.  I tried calling visa to ask them about that, but they close at midnight EST (what happened to 24hrs??). So I will have to wait until tomorrow to see if the transactions go through to help clarify this. I’ll check my receipts.
But now I need to figure out where to trim some things. I know that part of the number is stressful because of my car’s saga is on there, as is the deposit on my ring. But it’s all just bad timing as I’m considering all the options — not to mention the stress of seeing the number much higher than I’m expecting given that the ring isn’t posted on statement.
I need ideas of where to trim. Thoughts???

1. Move and get a roommate. This will be necessary. Either option that include changes will require moving, it’s just a matter of which option plays out. Even if neither play out I should probably move and get a roommate.
2. Stop Cable. One option to consider, though I’d rather not. But, if an alternate option comes into play I probably will so that I’m not tempted to be distracted.
3. Cut restaurant spending.  I’m not doing too badly on this but I’ve mindlessly spent money at coffee shops or at restaurants because I’m too lazy to make lunches or for other reasons. Anyhow, it’ll be healthier.
4. Leave my credit and debit card at home and just carry cash.
5. Perhaps no more exchanges for the near future (other than the one planned for a couple of weeks). At least not until # add up, and no vacations — well, except perhaps for one if the invite comes.
6. No more classes at the community center. I’d rather get more exercise by running, and if I have the cash I can do drop in yoga.
7. I wonder if it’s possible to get a part time job — one day a week or maybe two half days? I don’t know when or how I’d manage to do that. I am busy enough as it is. Arg. If I did it’d have to be something that was flexible enough to let me book off time when I need it for weekends away.

Sigh. Things will get ironed out soon, but these numbers are stressful. Because it means I have to face other numbers and numbers that aren’t going to get any easier.