This week has seen a major attack on my finances, but I'm happy to say I'm prepared like a good Girl Scout and surviving the storm.

1) I hired a skip and with the help of some friends cleared a load of rubbish out of the basement. That was planned for, but unfortunately the check to the waste disposal disappearred in the mail, so I had to pay a stop check fee of $20 and send another one.

2)My 20 year old fridge packed up and I had to buy a new one. Again, I had the money saved up, and I was able to buy a slightly scratched shop floor model at a reduced price.

3)My dad had to go into hospital. All other trials pale before that. I have my sister staying with me, and our meals are very disorganised, so haven't been able to shop for groceries with the usual care. Also spent quite a bit on taxis. The saddest part is that now my brother is insisting that dad should come and live with him. My sister thinks he is only interested in stopping all dad's money being used on longterm care. I don't know which would be worse in my old age - to have have no money, or to have lots and my children squabbling over it. It certainly has been a good lesson in putting money in perspective.