Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

That post title--I learned it from my mother when she was juggling family funds around to meet the most pressing needs first. I'm not sure why it refers to apostles, but it definitely gets to the point.

I think my parents always paid their bills on time. They were very organized about money. On one salary, they saved enough to have a second home built on Cape Cod. But please note: We ate out rarely. They usually bought store brands, not Nabisco. We didn't have big dinner portions at home--but that didn't matter. We were used to one chuck steak slipped under the broiler to feed the family; one skillet of meat sauce; broccoli defrosted from a small frozen box. Moey remembers that I brought sandwiches on party rye for lunch at St. Mary's School.

Over here, we have been trying to cook meals at home but we definitely eat out way more than my birth family did and we are two freelance writers landing, once again, between paychecks. 

So our health insurance is newly cancelled. That's happened several times over the years--we owe a couple/few months, over $1,000. As soon as we pay, our Rx and medical coverage kicks back in. But in the meanwhile, we can't pick up most prescriptions. One of mine, without the plan, rings up at $600+ vs. the normal $59. This no-health-insurance phase can be precarious. Once, Figgy had to go into the hospital and I had to call Sis, who gave me her credit card info to pay our insurance premium over the phone. (It was a loan.) Crazy, I know, and thank God for my sister.

Our September mortgage was late, but in before the end of the month. We are up to date, thankfully, with our monthly IRS payment plan. Our State Farm car and home insurance bundle is about to cancel, so we have to call and pay that $404 payment tomorrow morning.

I'm owed a magazine writing check and Dan has been writing constantly for a science publication, Neurology Today. So we will catch up.

Anyway, good night.

TCOY

1. Walked around block with Sug.
2. Sent important writing to S, and talked to her.
3. Healthful foods: Baby potatoes; mixed veggies; Ezekiel English muffin; roast chicken; banana.

$ MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET 

Items of interest.

• Vesta Chocolate, a small hot mocha made with oat milk to bring Fig at work; a large iced pumpkin spice latte and one signature brownie for Punch, plus counter tip, $20.64. Thinking of my parents in this post, I see that is indulgent. However, I greatly miss NYC and all of its best-of-everything sophistication. Julia and Roger, at Vesta, were pastry chefs in NYC and are exacting in presentation and handcrafted product. I want them to stay in town. I want to support them and be a part of that glamour and luxury. Also, Punch rode her bike there Wednesday and sat with her laptop til they closed at 7 p.m. She had only $2.60 in her pocket, and lovely Ana took care of her with a little chocolate and a brownie slice.
• Montclair parking meter, 75 cents.
• MEZOCO.COM taco truck coming to our pared-down block party Sunday. You order ahead and pick up the food in your time slot. Preordered for Dan, me, Fig, Punch and two of P's friends, who are coming as guests, plus $5 tip, $64.50. Didn't order extras, like chips, salsa, guacamole or drinks.