Dealing

I didn't do my homework on Thursday night, reviewing the budget and setting up envelopes for certain expenses, such as groceries. I should have remembered from February: Thursday evening isn't a good time for planning homework. It tends to be a catchup time. Last Thursday I did laundry, went grocery shopping and baked a special treat for my birthday weekend. I had intended to work on the budget after the cheesecake went in the oven, but by then it was already 10 p.m. and I needed to flake.

I have so many things coming at me just now—mostly family matters and the chorus's spring concerts and trip to Winnipeg in May—I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm not even sure when I'll have free time to work on the financial question. So this is another time when The Six Changes Method helps. When life gets complicated, I am easily distracted and start shuffling priorities. This plan helps me remember which card I should keep on top of the deck.

My loved ones are important and I care about their problems, but as long as I keep neglecting my own issues, I won't be as much help to them as possible. I've been living under a heavy burden of debt for years. It is emotionally toxic. It interferes with my relationships. The problem gets sidelined every time something else comes up, partly because debt is unpleasant and I would rather deal with anything else. Now I must face it.

I'll try setting another date with my budget: this Friday evening. It shouldn't take long. If Danny comes for the weekend, I should be able to finish by the time he arrives. I also need to have a conversation with Dad about this; I'll try to arrange it for the weekend, too.