I Knew it was the New Year But. . .Why so New

   Months have passed.  Many things have occurred that are making a difference in my life.   Beyond the weather, which is cold and wet, there is the financial stress. I had a root canal a couple weeks before I went in for surgery.  The surgery was in November, and the bills are now starting to pour in.  I  cannot imagine what it would be like if I didn't have insurance.  #1.  I might not have had surgery in the first place. (hard to imagine, since it has been so beneficial to me).  #2.  If I had the surgery but didn't have any insurance, I would be paying the bills for a decade.  Amazing.  It doesn't really hit home until you go through something like this.
   Quinn broke his collar bone just a few weeks after my surgery.  We have bills from that as well.  He is not on my insurance, but at least we have a Health Savings Plan set up for him.  Unfortunately, we don't have much money to put into it.  Taxes were due in the middle of the month.  The state has started asking us to pay sales tax monthly instead of quarterly. (I've been late filing these last two months.)
    Money applies such stress on some people.   I have always prided myself in not owing anybody anything.  It's not that way anymore.  I think some of the most stressful times between my husband and myself have to do with money.  My attitude about it and how I move through the world with it and without it have a significant impact on my life.
   Living more simply is a help.  Not going grocery shopping, but trying to be creative with what you have in the freezer, or in the cupboard.  I know many of you have been doing this for years.  I am so impressed with you.  It is a great challenge.  There is always some ingredient that I don't have, that I think would make the dish better.  There is the time factor.  Many more hours spent in the kitchen, beans from dried, chopping veggies, cooking on the weekends, etc.
   We are thinking about changing our childcare options.  Unfortunately, this would have an enormous impact on our 9-year-old.  My son has been going to the same after-school care since he was 5.  It is good for him socially, but it would save us over $200 a month, and would also challenge him to be a little more independent.  Fixing himself a snack after school, getting himself on his homework without adult supervision.   Maybe we can experiment for a month or two and see how it goes.
    I also have expenditures that I have committed to, that really are digging deep.  I signed a year contract with an exercise program.  It is good for me, but right now it seems a little frivolous.  I do feel like I am getting in shape though, and it will be over in August.  Can I lose 20 lbs by then?  Enough of a recap.