[Super Duper Fantastic] ISFP/INFP. 4w5. World Explorer. Super Hero. Rose-colored Glasses.

From Freewill Astrology:
Some years back, I maxed out my credit cards to pay for recording my band’s CD. Soon afterwards, following a few financial setbacks, I was close to declaring bankruptcy. Luckily, my parents stepped in and bailed me out. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) Since then, I’ve rigorously kept my debts to a minimum. That policy has, on occasion, cramped my style, but it looks pretty wise in light of the current financial crunch. Please draw inspiration from my experience, Libra. Take inventory of any patterns in your own life that may be distorting your ability to get the money and resources you need. This is an excellent time to flush your old conditioning and imprint yourself with good, new habits.

Yes, that is exactly what I need to do!

I didn’t want to check my 401(k), but I finally did. Down $2K in just a week or so. Lovely! It’s kinda scary, but at the same time, it’s not that I feel immune, but I can’t imagine how bad things will get. I’ve lived all my life in a comfortable bubble… In fact, most Americans have lived in comfort or near-comfort, compared to the rest of the world.

Crossing my fingers, hoping for the best. That’s all I can do.

A friend of mine is looking into buying a condo, and she brought up an interesting point. Her mom’s reaction. Rather than paraphrasing what Michelle wrote about today, let me just excerpt it here:

…She asked me tonight if I could have someone live there with me, like a boyfriend. I told her no, not really. While it’s doable, my stuff would pretty much take up all of the closet space making another person pretty much impossible. She then responded with something to the effect of what was I going to do if down the road before my 2-3 years is up that I find someone I want to move in with, and that it’d be stupid to keep paying for my place only to move in with them. It really irked me…

Irks me too! I’ve always considered myself to be financially independent when it comes to relationships. I will pay for my half of the date. I’ll even pay for my date. Why not? While it’s nice to think that someone will take care of me, I know that I cannot depend on it. While I would LOVE to have someone wine and dine me, someone to make sure that I’m comfortable, I cannot count on that.

Perhaps I lean towards the realistic rather than the optimistic when it comes to that.

2007 will be a major spending year for me.

$ = just a bit
$$ = 3-digits (mid to upper)
$$$ = 4-digits (lower-end)
$$$$ = 4-digits & up.

LASIK – $$$$ – No more glasses, so it will be worth it! Right now, one thing bugging me about this is the change in schedule that I only heard about yesterday. Plus, the description of the entire procedure freaks me out a little. My eyes have been sensitive ever since I had “pink eye,” so I don’t know how they will react to the surgery.

Braces – $$$$ – I’ll be paying this over the course of the next 2-3 years. I think I’ll start the whole “teeth removal” process in July since 1) I haven’t even consulted with the oral surgeon yet, and 2) I’ll be out of town until then. This means I will not have a “metal mouth” while in Spain!

Spain – $$$ – Airline tickets are already paid for. Now it’s just the expenses of when we’ll actually be there. Since I made a bulk of the ticket purchases, the sister will be covering some of the other expenses, so maybe it won’t be so bad after all.

Boston/CT – $$ – My friends, Karen and Dave, are getting married. I’m going to try to use my Hilton points for a room, AND I’ll be splitting some expenses with S, so it won’t be bad.

Wine Tasting in Lompoc – $ – Amanda invited a bunch of us to her hometown for a wine tasting weekend. Her mom has the hook-ups, so pricewise, it shouldn’t be too bad. The plan is to drive down on Friday night and back up again Sunday night.

PDX House – $$ – The tenants called me, and there may be some repairs and exterminations to be paid for. Dagnabit. I don’t know how much all that will cost.

While expensive, it should be a fun year!