We got the water bill and as if to taunt us the water portion was the usual flat $30 but the metered water would have been $20. YEs we asked to switch to metered because they said we could, but now they are stalling. It is REALLY annoying. I figured whatever, August is our worst month, but we actually didn't use very much water. Way less than last August (lord knows why. Maybe less laundry, since less diapers). So now I am just aggravated. Bring on the metered water already. I want to start saving my $10-$20/month. Could really use it!

I also got the DMV renewal and for the first time ever they did not charge a fee to put it on our credit card or to pay electronically. So I put it on the card. Cool! BEtter yet, my new registration arrived a couple of days later. IT significantly sped up the whole process. Never having newer cars the $144 bill was a bit of a shock, but no smog check needed, so phew. Could have been another $50 easy.

I am set to get another $250 rebate from Chase in the next few months. The more on the card the sooner it will arrive. But I need 200 points to redeem for $250. My last bill with the Japan airline tickets gave me 65 points. Not bad, not bad. By Christmas I will have another $250. I am thinking of just making $250 my Christmas budget. About what we did last year. & we'll definitely make it by December.

Have my estimate due to the IRS for ROTH conversions and I figured I would transfer the money to my checking account. Then I remembered my GMAC account has checks! Haven't used any, but the idea is sweet. I can pay directly from the account and earn interest until the day the check is cashed. I like it. The only other big bill I really foresee is the property taxes, but that will be sweet to pay that one directly too. A good $2k+ when that is due. If the government wants to drag it's feet on cashing, then more interest for me.