stugotz

Well this certainly is a first for me. I received my IRS deposit yesterday, and for some reason I still had all of it when I woke up today. You see, normally I would still be up, probably for several days untill I blew all the money on dope and booze and whatever sleazy motel I ended up in. So instead I payed off my Wifes car(I refuse to lay claim to anything with more than two wheels), got my girls some new clothes(not from the discount rack), payed off my Department of Corrections fines, and most amazingly, payed my boss back the 1000 bucks he lent me. This morning I went and finally got my right sleeve finished(thats tattoos folks)

You see, its the small things that I took for granted for most of my life that I really cherish today. Its not about the money, its about how accomplished I feel doing the right thing. We in recovery are truly blessed. Just sayin...

suki44883

That really made me smile. Thank you for sharing that.

aasharon90

AWESOME..!!!!

...and that's how it works
in recovery.

Thumbs up on the tats as
I wait anxiously for Feb. 14th,
Valentine's Day and my husbands
and I second wedding anniversary
to get more added to my tribal
heart chest piece.

LexieCat

Too cool.

I'm pulling my own tax stuff together right now, and my refund will go into my "war chest" for the lawsuit I will probably have to file in order to get my house foundation problems fixed. I don't feel sorry for myself for my foundation problems (which are caused by a collapsing retaining wall owned by my homeowner's association) and I'm not even angry anymore. It is a problem to be addressed, like any other problem. We all have them--those little "life problems" that we aren't responsible for. I'm changing what I can, doing the necessary footwork, and ultimately I cannot predict the outcome. But I have faith today that it will turn out OK.

least

Amazing how much easier it is for me to pay bills now that I don't drink my money away.

CarolD

I get a kick out of manageing money wisely...
Good thing....because I certainly am limited with only
Social security coming in.

:fear of economic insecurity will leave us"
has proven true in my life.

BB Quote.1st Edition.
9th Step Promises

bananagrrrl

That is wonderful, congrats!

I am really trying to work on the selfish, spending side of me.

I can only claim two months of doing so.

gabagool

Good for you.....I tell you one thing....You think you are functioning well when you drink....and then when you stop you REALIZE how many LITTLE things you let slide when you are drunk. When you go without the booze, you realize all these LITTLE things aren't so little....the xtra time with your kids, the little things you get done around the house, the mere art of conversation with your spouse....ALL things I DIDN'T do because the booze just brought out the lazy me. Sure I went to work, did the BIG things....but all the little things, the things that make you and your family special....all took a back seat to seeing the bottom of the next goose.

Your post really hit home.

Fandy

I spent yesterday PM getting all my tax stuff in order too for the accountant....I am organized, typed out the changes from last year for additional deductions and am ready to go for Monday.

i would have dropped them off today, but there was too much ICE this AM...i decided to not risk driving around.

as for the drinking $$$ i've saved in the last year, i feel very fortunate to be in control of my finances and made the necessary home improvements without worry....I had the $$ to replace the hot water heater and storm door, I have additional savings and I can pay all my bills on time.

so much less stress in my life.

congrats on getting so much accomplished.

Freyakitty

That's so awesome! Good on ya! what's the sleeve of?

over50

Ive been to a few of those sleazy motels in Cocoa myself. Not sure if thats where youre talking about. Across the bridge.

You need to be proud of yourself. Keep it up. Stay sober.

stugotz

Bingo!

mygrandfather

Great post, made my day. I'm a tax time early bird myself.

Veritas1

Yes, it's amazing the "good" we can do with money!

Once I was thinking of drinking, called someone off my AA fellowship phone list...in a parking lot outside of a store.

I was told, "take the money you were going to spend on booze, and do something good with it...spend it all on something for someone else."

Oh! Ok...

I didn't buy booze, and I didn't drink.

Kjell

Hey Stu - I'm from Winter Haven and I know those types (or maybe even the cluster) of motels you're talking about.

I also now about blowing money and staying up for days on end.

Ughh...what was I doing???

Great post man.

Tommyh

good deal man
bet the family is proud of your progress

ain`t sobriety good sometimes?

Anna

Stu, I love your post!

It sounds like you did some really good things with the tax refund and I'm glad that you feel so good about it.