We had been so flush with cash, etc. this year I was bummed when the tide turned a couple of weeks ago. It seemed like money out, out, out all of a sudden. Not that I could complain. When it rains it pours - but it goes both ways. I figured the tide would turn for a while...

But it turned back the other way. I got paid Friday along with a couple of reimbursement checks. Not that exciting, but we took the car in and it seems it is nothing. Mechanic said he could replace part and maybe engine light would stop coming on (for $200) but that he'd have to order it anyway so it was up to me - call him next time the light comes on and he can order it.

Will see...

So we got off easy yesterday.

I had him change the oil while he had the van (more pricey - but worth the "convenience" to cross that off the list - he had the van all day anyway).

I told dh he needed to get his oil changed too (when I realized it was May - we change them every 6 months. Our last mechanic got us on this schedule. It's fine if you don't procrastinate or forget. & I guess depends on your auto and driving habits - my caveat. We mostly do freeway driving -neither of us sits in traffic - so less oil changes are fine in that case).

Anyway, dh told me when he got home he found an oil change coupon in the paper. I think that was the first sign that things were turning around.

Later his mom called me to ask some questions re: our family camp trip for this summer. Turns out she had paid for us (we expected to shell out $600 - the biggest piece of our vacation budget for the year). Um, okay? I was stunned. (I guess since last year she actually let us pay! )

I know, on some level it's not surprising. But to me it was so out of left field. For now I am letting the money sit. We had been thinking of spending a night in monterey with the kids and a few nights in san Luis Obispo later in the summer. Though I don't think we will need this $600 for that.

Oh yeah - we will pay for my dad's camping fees. Almost $230 since he is not a resident. So only really leaves about $350 to spare. But I think we will just plan not to touch it - and use it next year towards Hawaii. May cover airfare for one. Makes Hawaii seem more likely. Woohoo! I think we will just leave it and see. Our $1500 vacation fund this year was mostly going to go to camping, and then a couple of weekend trips around the state. & season passes to an amusement park. Wasn't even sure if we would use it up anyway. Will think about it, but mostly I think the money will remain untouched in our savings account. We can think about it at the end of the year. (Assuming no catastrophe comes along).

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All the net worth posts reminded me, my net worth was up almost $11k as of 4/30. Go figure! I don't think it means much in terms of where we will be 12/31. But it's nice to see such a nice upward tick.

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ETA: We cleaned house today and dh thinks I threw away his oil change coupon. (I didn't see it and I searched the recycle bin - I looked at every single item - I think he's crazy. I didn't see it. I told him if it was where he said it was, I didn't see it and it's not in the recycle bin).

I hope that's not a sign!

Figures...