Even I have to admit, in hindsight, that I’ve been very sad and pathetic lately. Most that I’ve had to say online or otherwise has been extremely negative, and I just shook myself out of it. Sorry, folks. Now, with all that behind me, I can say this:
Great news everyone!
You know you just said that in Professor Farnsworth’s voice. Source: http://tinyurl.com/ax87juy
All Zoidberg jokes aside, I do have awesome news. My federal tax refund came in earlier than I expected, which is a HUGE relief for my fairly low bank account, but then I had another big surprise. I did my state taxes separately since the state of Illinois tends to want money from me. Instead, I’m getting $175 back.
However, it gives me a small problem: I’m not sure what to do with the money. I had already planned on putting all my extra money that I get from my work bonus and raise into savings for a house. My first thought was “Hooray! I can get my goal for saving that much sooner!” Then I thought, I could invest it into something I’ve wanted for a while: my small chest freezer.
You might think I’m blowing this out of proportion, but it really is a difficult choice. The idea of being able to buy meat and vegetables in bulk and have room for them in the freezer is just so enticing to me. Growing up, I helped my mother harvest vegetables and fruits from our garden and store them in the freezer for later, and it probably saved my mother (taking care of a family of 5, mind you) thousands of dollars in groceries over the years.
The only thing that’s holding me back right now: I’ll feel like a hypocrite sinking any extra money into this, when I promised myself, my BF, and even my cats (yes, I’ll talk to my cats occasionally), that I would cut back my spending and put all the extra money I come by into our house fund.
Then I think back on that option, of getting the keys to our own home that much sooner. And every little bit saved will count for something, am I right?
Oooo, so dreamy … a key. But a house key, nonetheless (Source: http://tinyurl.com/nrdkt6)
Blah. I probably wouldn’t be fretting so much if it wasn’t so much money. And yet it’s not a terribly large amount of money. It’s not $1000, but it’s not just $10.
As I did before, I will sit and think about it, until the money comes in from the state. It’ll be a few weeks, I’m sure. When I originally wanted to buy a freezer, I changed my mind several times, convincing myself not to spend the money. And when I got some gift cards for Christmas I could have used towards it, I didn’t since we needed a vacuum and other household items instead. But I also have all my reasons for buying it too, particularly saving money on food by enabling myself to buy food on sale.
What would you do in my position, readers? Save money now so it’s there to help us buy our house, or save money over time with my freezer?
Or, you are more than welcome to tell me to snap out of it and stop feeding my anxiety. I deserve a good slap in the face every once in a while.
I think insurance for not blowing your windfall is sitting on it for a while, researching the options and then acting. Otherwise, it might lead to losing it if you acted hastily.
amen! that would be why I have not yet bought a freezer. even though I almost did about 5 times. I think I’m going to like how that $175 looks in the bank and keep it there for a while