One step forward, two steps back

[ajh88]

I was so excited because we are getting back about twice as much from taxes this year than we ever have before. I am getting ready to start my last year of school, which means I won't be able to work as much as I am now because I'll be doing "rotations" about 40 hours a week. I had calculated how much I would have to work to keep us afloat during this last year and I was going to keep our tax return in savings to give us a bit of cushion in case there are times when I can't work as much as I'd like. I was also going to do some car maintenance (new tires, brakes, etc.) since we only really have one reliable car right now.

Today, I am reviewing some financial aid information for my last year. I have been taking loans for tuition/fees but staying away from the higher interest "living expense" loans. Needless to say, since I'll be enrolled for 3 terms instead of just 2 for my last year, my Stafford loan limits are not high enough to cover the entire cost of my tuition expenses. Even with my scholarship, I am short....you guessed it, just about the amount of my tax return.

How, oh how, does this always seem to happen? I guess I should just be happy that I actually have a source of a few thousand dollars rather than moping that it won't be in my bank account, but it makes me melancholy all the same. I guess I just needed to whine for a minute - I'll be over it in a year when I'm just about ready to graduate!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

awww It will be worth it though. Look on the bright side, at least you have the money coming and you don't have to use a credit card or something.

It seems like we have had so much money going out lately too. DD's cheer classes are killing me. Other DD had a blowout today so we are putting new tires on her car tomorrow, my SUV needs new tires too so it's always something. But, we have our health and everyone is happy. That's worth so much more than what money can buy.