I received an interesting letter today in the mail.

It was from Discover and it read:

"We are offering you a special 0% APR credit card that is only available to those who have achieved the highest level of financial success."

I know I am amazing and all, but please, you're making me blush.

::rolls eyes::

I surprised myself today and actually went to a store! I went to PetSmart to pick up a water test kit. I also stopped by the store at which my boyfriend works to see how he was doing. I bought a pair of headphones and a new journal.

I always seem to get sick around the holidays!

My brother was sick over the weekend and he was so kind to give it to me. Thankfully, I got sick AFTER my Calc III exam on Tuesday, but I was not well enough today.

I was able to enjoy all the food though. My dad, brother, and myself went to my boyfriend's parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. His mom made a wonderful meal and sent us home with two pies: Apple and Pumpkin.

I feel asleep soon after I finished eating.

Overall, it was a good day.

Onto financial news....

I have not been working since my mom died. I am scheduled for a couple hours this Saturday but that's it for this week. Also, I will have to dip into my savings soon. I will need to take $225 out for December rent as I have obviously not made anything this month. But that's what savings are for, right?

The only other expense I will have in the next couple months is textbooks. I am expecting to buy 5-6 books and spend about $300. But I plan on reselling a few of my current textbooks so I may recoup some of the cost. My dad will be paying my tuition, which is $600. Tuition spiked for the spring ($7 increase/credit!) and there is a rumor that they are thinking of increasing it by 25% for next fall!

I must remember to write to the governor and senators complaining about the tuition spike...

I am thankful:

for my family.

that my dad is willing to work so hard and do so much for our family.

for my wonderful boyfriend who respects me and our relationship.

for my lovable (albeit annoying) pets.

for my intelligence.

that I am able to attend a relatively inexpensive university.

that this semester wasn't that bad.

for all the electronic widgets and toys I have.

for my job and my wonderful coworkers and bosses.

that my parents were able to help me get on the right track financially.

that I've experienced all the hardships I have.

that Christmas is just 29 days away!

A little over $115.

But it was for three people and include shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and dish detergent.

I was shocked when I spent that much.

I also didn't go to Walmart like I usually do. I went to a more expensive grocery store right around the corner.

Because my dad was paying for the groceries, I called him in the parking lot and told me how much I spent on the food. I thought I had spent too much but when I told him the amount, he actually laughed!

He said mommy used to spend over $200 a week on food for two people!

I loved my mom very much, but she did like to spend money. She wasn't the best at budgeting.

I am currently at 46 credits and after this semester I will be at 60 credits.

I'm a sophomore but because at the end of this semester I will be a junior, I got to register yesterday instead of Tuesday.

I got all the classes I want at the times I wanted too.

I'm so happy!

MWF: 11-11:50 Linear Algebra, 12-12:50 French 4th Semester.

MW: 2:30-3:45 Differential Equations

TR: 1-2:15 Data Structures, 2:30- 3:45 French Culture

Over the summer I will be taking another Core Humanities class and possibly another computer science class. I'm thinking of taking a class over winter break but I am not sure.

I have two Betta fish, each in a 2.5g tank. I've been thinking for awhile now to get a 10g tank and divide and house the two Bettas in there.

Well, I finally did it!

I bought a 10g tank today along with a filter. I'll begin cycling the next this weekend or next and I'll slowly be adding in decor and the like.

Things I need to get:
Decor (hiding spots and gravel)
Gravel vacuum
Heater

I also bought a pair of gloves for $1.00.

I'm very excited about my new tank! The first thing one of my cats did was jump in the tank and explore.

Try as I might, headphones do not last long in my household.

Starlight, my cat, managed to find my pair of headphones and decided it would make a fun toy.

It is a very good thing that the headphones only cost me 97 cents at Walmart.

I'm even happier that I did not listen to a friend of mine and buy a pair of $100 Boise headphones. I know headphones do not last long with me and paying so much would be throwing money away.

He claims there is a vast difference in quality between his headphones and my old ones, but I honestly can't hear it. We did a listening test one day and while his headphones look snazzier, they sound the same to me.

I was shocked that someone would be wiling to spend that much on a pair of headphones. It is a pair of headphones after all. I thought he was absolutely crazy for spending so much until I looked into my closet and realized...

That I have two purses that each cost about three times as much as one pair of Boise headphone.

And that I'm currently eyeing a purse that costs $700.

Hehehe...

I will not buy that purse any time soon. I do not see myself buying that purse anytime in the next two years. But I can dream, can't I?

Due to budget cuts my school is getting rid of the math center at then end of this semester. Students used to be able to get tutoring for free but this semester they've had to pay for tutoring.

Next semester my job will be closed because of construction. I am going to tutor kids in math so I can have some income.

I'm thinking of charging $15/hr for 1 student and $25/hr for groups up to 5 students. Do you think these prices are reasonable? I'll be offering tutoring for up to Calculus 3.

My classes for next semester are:
Math 330: Linear Algebra
Math 285: Differential Equations
French 212: 4th semester French language
French 221: French culture class
Computer Science 302: Data Structures

If I get the schedule I want, I will be in class for 3-4 hours a day.

My dad has a contract job about 500 miles from where we live. The contract is up in April and he's expecting to have a new contract job (at another business) soon after. Because of this, I will be moving into my parents' place to take care of the house and my brother.

My grandma (who I currently live with) is in D.C., recovering from surgery, and will return in January. Our apartment complex manager said they will try to have a 1 bedroom, downstairs apartment ready for her within a week of her return (but it might take a little longer). We'll be paying rent until she gets a new apartment but we won't be charged any lease-breaking fees.

We have more flowers and food than we have room for. I've seen in movies, like "Raising Helen", where friends/neighbors drop food off at the families who lost someone. I always thought this was silly, but I totally get it now. The LAST thing I want to do is cook food and it's nice to pop something into the microwave that someone else cooked.

I'm taking a few weeks off work but fortunately I am a couple months ahead of my savings goal.