DON'T READ THIS; IT'S BORING!

Sunday, May 17, 2026

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

Hubby is typing this for me, because I am unable to type at this time. It started with an innocuouse UTI on December 17. Trip to Urgent Care and prescription for antibiotic. Woke up the next morning and could neither stand nor walk. Trip to the ER. They admitted me and after 6 days discharged me to a Nursing Home & Rehab Hospital. No clear diagnosis, but everyone assumed my condition was connected to the UTI and possibly a couple of my medications. I was also have difficulty speaking and swallowing. After 3 weeks of attempts to get me to stand, I was discharged home, with the hope that home physical therapy would be more successful. That was not the case as after 8 weeks Home Health Care has to cease because Medicare would no longer pay, due to lack of progress and the inadequate diagnosis. We decided to reach out to the neurologist who treats my essential tremor and request a brain MRI to see if that might explain what was happening. His initial response was that he or a PA would need to examine me before a new MRI could be ordered. However, 2 days later he scheduled a virtual appoint for the following week. During that appointment, he asked me a number of questions and to perform movements that he could observe. He then expressed dismay that no one treating me had thouhgt to engage a neurologist earlier. He immediately ordered the MRI and a battery of other tests. Before I could have these done, we had a crisis. Dan was out back with the dogs when I threw up my lunch. Given my swallowing problems, we were afraid I might choke, so Dan called 911 and back to the ER we went. The ER doctor took a look at my condition, the medical records and our story of what was going on. His response was that the diagnosis I was given did not make sense from what he was seeing. He decided to conduct a comprehensive evaluation. When this was completed, he concluded that I was too ill to be treated at this small local hospital and had me transferred to the main Lehigh Valley Health System hospital in Allentown. Once there, the tests previously ordered by my neurologist were performed along with a battery of other tests. The hospital's neurologist concluded that I was suffering from "Parkinsonsism," and put me on a drug used to treat Parkinson's. My speech and swallowing immediately improved, although the swallowing not completely. Two weeks later they discharged me with a bunch of new medications and new orders for home health care and therapy. Some movement to my arms has returned, but I cannot open my hands completely, The strength in my legs is returning, buy not yet enough to stand without assistance. Given the positive response to the Parkinson's medication, they have increased the dosage in hopes of seeing further improvement. I spend some time every day out of my hospital bed and in a wheelchair, which I am beginning to be able to move on my own. How much progress I am ultimately able to make is still an open question. I don't know yet when my hands will allow me to resume blogging. Keep praying for me, if you're so inclined. I appreciate it.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Income & Spending....November Edition

Now that we are living on an annuity, 401K$ withdrawals, personal savings and social security payments, I am still going to keep track of our monthly spending and income, and hopefully we'll still be able to live BELOW our means and I'll have some leftover monies each month to tuck aside.

We went into retirement in June of 2017 with no debt, no mortgage nor a car payment.

I am trying to be as transparent as I can with how much is coming in and how much is going out. 8-)

On to the November report--

I have 2 goals for November.....

The 1st is to actually finish the month in the black and not the red.

The 2nd is to try to have a little cash leftover at the end of the previous month to tuck back into a slush fund. This slush fund may be applied toward unforeseen bills that are coming due in subsequent months, to spend on "extras/wants" during the year or to just sit there and grow until the end of 2025.

* I do not include/report on our retirement accounts here, just the non-retirement ones.

I have to report that we finished up November in the Black.

The amount extra we ended the month of November with?....$3,687.09

Income or Fund in September We Can Access

The "income" in November---

* Monthly annuity payment of $2,547.75

* SS income of $3,719.60

* Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $1,496.24

* eBay Profit of $549.95(before fees)

* Extra 401K withdrawal $1,980.37

Total "Income" for November.....$9,698.61

* Irregular bills in November were $359.66

* Variable expenses in November came to $4,933.06

* Medical Premiums in November $718.80

Total Expenses....$6,011.52

$9,698.61-$6,011.52=$3,687.09

Slush Fund coming into November of $81,984.50 and the addition of $3,687.09 in November, the end of November 2025 Slush Fund comes to $85,671.59*

The Slush Fund, on it's own page(tab at the top of the blog), shows an addition of $3,687.09

*This doesn't count October totals which I wasn't able to do.

Outgo

As for the variable expenses this September, here are the good and bad side of things.....

Here are the GOOD THINGS

* The WAM was the same as last month.

* There was no Mastercard bill in November.

* The water bill was less than last month.

* WIFI was the same as in October.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

* We had a boarding kennel bill related to the surgery.

* Wed had a hotel bill related to the surgery.

* We had a turnpike bill related to the surgery.

* We had a bank service charge as we changed banks.

* I bought a 'waterpick'.

* Sent my sister-in-law a birthday check.

* We now have a storage bill of $74.20 each month until we move.

* We had $48.17 in dr. co-pays related to the surgery.

The Food Budget costs for November are in another post which I haven't gotten to yet. Food costs are included in my credit card payments(mainly because I buy the food but sometimes these costs come out of our WAM cash too).

Final Thoughts for November--

Looking ahead to December--the PT is going slowly, That's what I'm focused on for now. 8-/

So how was your November financially?

Did you spend less than the income you had in November?

Did you stay within your budget or not?

What did you do with any money leftover at the end of the month?

Did you pay down/off any debts or put extra toward your mortgage principle or into savings, in an emergency fund or retirement account?

Or did you blow all your excess monies after bills were paid on a "want"?

If you post your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can go check out your progress too and celebrate or commiserate with you!

Sluggy

Friday, December 5, 2025

Frugal Friday....December 5th 2025

Not too much frugal going on here.

* Went to more Physical Therapy appointment this week for the knee. I guess I'm getting better but I don't feel it yet and the back pain isn't helping on that score.

* I sold 7 items on eBay last week again. Go me! 8-)))

* I earned $28.50 on Ibotta.

* I earned 29,100 points on Fetch.

* We had take out 0 times this week. Hubs is doing a good job of cooking. 8-))

* FINALLY got my Radio Frequency Ablation on my back. I've been waiting since May for that. Hopefully the relief will kick in about a week from now. 8-)

* I found money! Nope, not this week.

Found Money The Past Week.....00¢

Grand Total Found in 2025....$6.85

I guess sitting home is frugal, right?

That's all I got.

What frugal things did you do this past week?

Sluggy

Friday, November 28, 2025

Frugal Friday.....the November 28th Edition

Not too much frugal going on here.

* When to more Physical Therapy appointment this week for the knee. I guess I'm getting better but I don't feel it yet.

* I sold 6 items on eBay last week. Go me! 8-)))

* I earned $13.16 on Ibotta.

* I earned 3,000 points on Fetch.

* I won a $50 gift card! Unfortunately it's for Taco Bell so it becomes a gift for Hubs. lol

* We had take out 1 time this week. Hubs is doing a good job of cooking. 8-))

* I found money! Nope, not this week