Best laid plans and all that

[kitanzi]

We've been pulling out of a financial hole slowly and steadily over the last six or so months. We actually have been batting around the idea of stretching ourselves enough to achieve any ONE of several possible fun things, possiblities which included Concertino, or travel, or one of several possible spiffy things for ACat's Bday.

Unfortunately, shit happens, and it's really not anything to blame anyone for.

$500 in unexpected emergency expenses this weekend make all of that reeeeally unlikely, short of winning lotteries that we don't actually enter. *sigh* This is all just a really good reminder that we need to get OUT of debt, and establish a cash reserve for crap exactly like this. Part of it was a very simple, unexpected accident which ACat is still castigating himself for, most of it is just computers crap the bed every so often.

Still... lots of little things are likely to be cut back for a bit, and Concertino is no longer a hope. Sorry to all who we talked to about it being maaaaaybe possible. :(

EDIT: Sorry for alarming people - not an auto accident at all, but ACat's very necessary cellphone getting crunched, and then his video card dying spectacularly. Not even remotely dangerous, just frickin expensive. Please, please don't jinx us. *G*

Comments

[filkergem.livejournal.com]

Ouch! I hope that the accident was not a bad one. I'll miss seeing you guys at Concertino.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

It was a long shot at the best, but yeah, still sucks. Everyone is fine - it wasn't an auto accident. :) You folks have extra fun for us, ok?

[filkergem.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update - sorry for assuming that "accident" = "car crash". I jumped to that conclusion because of recent family events here.

Is there any chance that a lesser cell phone would suffice while you were getting finances in order for a proper replacement? We've had decent luck with $5 yard-sale cell phones as temporary placeholders. What company are you with? We might be able to procure one if that would help.

And I forgot to mention - very good on you guys for being committed to getting out of debt and being willing to forgo things in order to get out of debt. It wouldn't be too terribly difficult, under som ecircumstances, to put all but the memberships for a con on credit card and then be making payments for years to come. You guys are making the wiser long-run decision.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

WEll, that would have been what we were considering.... and that credit card space is what covered the cellphone and video card. *shrug* We could have managed cheaper on both, but the cellphone has some things that make ACat's job very much easier.

[catalana.livejournal.com]

Ugh! That doesn't sound fun. I hope you both are okay and that things improve soon. *hug*

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, just fine - I never meant to imply an auto accident, I'm sorry! Just a crunched cellphone that HAS to be replaced immediately for ACat's job. *hug* Thank you!

[catalana.livejournal.com]

I didn't actually think about an auto accident, but most occurences that involve needing $500 are unpleasant. (Sudden dental work and the like.) So I'm glad it wasn't painful in that sense, even if it probably caused a pain to your wallets...*Grin*

[otherdeb.livejournal.com]

Oh, sweetie. Hope things go better in future for both of you. Concertino is out for me, too, this year (which sucks because I really wanted to meet Mike in person), but maybe towards the end of the summer I can make that visit you and I spoke about a while ago. I know it's not much comfort, but it's the best I can do at the moment.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

That would be very cool, if it's possible - keep us posted, ok? :) *hug* And thanks for the comfort. It's a glitch, I know.

[poltr1]

Good luck in getting yourself out of debt!

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I know you know how hard that is.... *hug* I hope things get better for you very soon, too.

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

Good luck on the finances; having that buffer has been a real relief to me (having bit deeper in the hole than I thougt I was at the time. It pays off, but it's TOUGH getting out)

Hopefully, nobody was serious hurt in anything?

*hugs to yuo both*

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

No no, not a car accident, just a crunched cellphone. We're fine, it's dead, and on the whole - definitely the preferable outcome! Thank you for the good wishes and the hugs! *hug*

[kyttn.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to hear it is the phone that got hurt and not you or Acat! Have you looked into whether you are at a point in your contract where you can do an "upgrade" and extend your contract for another year and get a free or discounted phone? When I was trying to find another phone for Faeryn because hers is not a particularly good one, I was told once we reached a certain point in our contract they would give me the option to extend the contract and give me the same deal on a new phone that they would if I was signing a new contract (she is with Alltel). I believe Cingular offers the same program. Now, you couldn't pay me enough to extend with Alltel, but it might be worth it if Acat doesn't have a choice in the matter.

*HUGS*

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Well, we did get a discount, but still expensive. In theory, we could have gone with a minimal phone but we didn't because this has a number of functions that make ACat's job a lot easier. If it were *my* phone... well, I HAVE pretty minimal phone, because it's just for saying hi to folks. :) *hug*

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Well we're sorry we won't see you at Concertino (which arguably *we* shouldn't be going to but...)

However, we really understand digging out of financial hole (or the need to - we just barely got the shovel and haven't really started digging yet, or maybe it's more a large trowel?) and also we for sure understand about computers crapping! Sigh.

Big huge hugs. Let us know if somehow we can help!!

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Just have fun for us there, ok? :) *hugs* to you all!

[gingicat]

I soooooo understand... the only reason that *we* can go is because Wolf's parents are letting us stay at their house.

Hope you guys finish digging out soon.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We are making great progress, witnessed by the fact that we CAN pay this amount unexpectedly and still not worry about things like rent, or utilities or starting a cascade of missed bills, etc. Still no fun, of course! *hug* Have fun for us too, then, ok?

[annonynous.livejournal.com]

Sorry - about the bad stuff. We know what it's like to have to shell out $$$ unexpectedly (water heater, on the morning of a Con Comm and a MASSFILC meeting). And to not make it to a con you wanted to attend. :(

Glad - it wasn't *that* kind of accident. What do they say in the old Samurai movies - "Brace up!" ? :)

Ann O.

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! *hug* It could be far, far worse.

[devinsong.livejournal.com]

Well, rats.. I was really hoping you'd make it up. Now I'm just going to have to try really hard to make it down to Gafilk instead.

Can't blame you for doing the responsible thing, since it's what I'd do myself..!

Hugs, and glad there was no physical pain involved for anybody-
Robin

[kitanzi.livejournal.com]

It would be great to see you at Gafilk - do you think it's likely? Yeah, it could have been far worse and I do know it!

[devinsong.livejournal.com]

Well, I have every intention of getting there one of these years. In theory, it's a dead easy con- actually in some ways easier than the Boston cons- I can get direct flight from Manchester Friday after work, a direct flight back Sunday, the hotel's close to the airport, no need to use vacation.

In practice, it's right after Christmas and at most two weeks from Arisia, which tends to sap both the cash and the energy. And more to the point, it may be in conflict with another trip this winter. So, it's not a sure thing, but I'm trying seriously to get it into my schedule.

The annoying thing was that of course last year I had plenty of time, but I didn't feel right about taking off on a trip while I was unemployed. Now I'm employed, so more cash- but less energy..