Y2 D135

I made some good decisions yesterday. Almost three weeks with no booze has really cleared my head I guess. Allowing me to see things and think things through better. Amazing at how clear life becomes when you aren't constantly in a haze. Anyway...

First I went to the what I used to call 'the poor people' grocery store. Guess what? I am one of the poor people now and there's no shame in admitting it. I decided I wanted some bread and cheese dammit and I ventured forth. Now, the reason it's the poor people store is they sell things that are slightly dented, overstocked, or near expiration. I am ok with that. I picked up a loaf of braid for half of what I pay normally and 4 times the amount of cheese I would regularly get. I saved roughly $5 on two items over the normal grocery store. The cheese is good for a while, but the bread I have to eat in a week. Not a problem. PB&J sandwiches will do me just fine for the next week thank you very much.

Smart move two will save me $80 a month. BUT this one is tricky. I realized yesterday that I have a storage unit I pay for every month. This is the bill I had to pay by Saturday. In said storage unit is ONE thing. A fridge. It doesn't fit in my apartment and I refuse to sell it. Why? Because this isn't your run of the mill fridge. This is a $5000 custom fridge. It is designed as an old 1950's icebox with bottom freezer and more chrome than a 57 Chevy. It's even in 57 Chevy red. It's my fridge. I made a big deal to X2 that it was my fridge and she wasn't getting her damn hands on it. I also looked it up and even though mine is two years old, it still sells for between 4800 - 6500 with shipping and tax. It is a serious fridge. I want to hold on to some part of my life and that fridge is part of that. Some day I will have a home again where I will be able to use that fridge. BUT I don't need to spend $80 a month storing it. I am working on getting it moved into my place. I don't know where the hell I am going to put it, but I will figure that out. I did some measuring last night and I think I have a spot. I need to move some stuff around this weekend and see if I can make room. It will make one hell of a conversation piece. I went and talked to the people at the storage unit to let them know I was planning on getting the item out and closing the account and they told me I have until the 19th before I get hit with late fees. Perfect. I just need to find someone to help me move it. If no one steps up before Saturday, I am going to hire pros. I started getting some quotes and it looks like it will be bout $150. This pays for itself in two months of not paying storage. Works for me.

The last smart thing I am about to do when I am done typing this. I own a timeshare with one of the major hotels. I have been holding on to it because I don't know how much it is worth or if I can even sell it in today's market. I am about to call them and find out the answers to those questions. If it is worth it, I will sell and pay off at least three of my debts. That will allow me to have around $700 more a month net that isn't going out in bills. This could be huge. I am a little nervous and disappointed, but if it solves the problem... More on the results of this tomorrow.

Ironically, all of this is what X2 wanted from me the whole time we were together. She wanted me to be realistic about my finances and our situation. It took hitting a really low point for reality to kick in and slap me in the face.

On a positive note, if this sale goes well, and I can make it through the end of the year, I think I am going to be alright in the end. I said something to a friend recently off the cuff, but the more I think about it, the truer it becomes. I said to him 'last year was about me getting straight with being divorced, this year is about getting straight with finances. Which means next year should be one of the best ever'. The longer I ponder that, the more it rings true for me.

I did work yesterday and I have more work today too which is good. Off to make phone calls...