None of this
has anything to do with New Year’s resolutions as it is basically decisions I
have to make in my life for several reasons.

As many of
you know there was no Social Security raise for seniors in 2016 because the
cost of living index doesn’t indicate one is needed. The fact that medicines,
health expenses—as just one example--have gone up they aren’t taken into
consideration. (Just wonder if the Congress will be getting a COLA raise this
year?)

As my phone,
Internet and cable prices have gone up I have had to choose between the
Internet and my getting the local newspaper delivered. I checked out all the
Internet prices available but none were lower than the price I would be paying
in 2016. I checked out phone prices but my landline is still the cheapest. Next
was cable versus streaming and since we get a great rate here--$36 for 66
stations including Showtime and HBO—I know it was the best deal.

When
something goes up $20 it means I have to cut some other things that I get. I
don’t recall ever NOT subscribing to a daily newspaper, if for no other reason
than to have coffee and work the Jumble and crossword plus reading the comics
every morning as part of my life’s routine. With the Internet and television by
the time I get the newspaper most of their news is ‘old’, though it goes into
more depth, I decided to stop the newspaper. I decided to call and end the
subscription January 1 but that didn’t happen! Whether I listened to all the choices
on their automated system or went to their web site there was no way to end the
subscription before Monday January 4 which means I will be paying for those
days.

In
conversation with my downstairs neighbor they mentioned they got the newspaper
delivered Friday, Saturday and Sunday and they would gladly give it to me when
they finished with them. Lucky for me they are ‘morning people’ so by the time
I get up the paper is at my door! The bottom line is I have now survived three
days without the paper!!

Another
change I have made is regarding buying lottery tickets which I have been doing
faithfully for all the years they have been in business. (No, I don’t want to
know how much money I have spent on them—I am helping education!!!) Of course
with the Powerball now at over $400 mil I still have one chance at winning
tonight. Now on Thursdays I will only buy Fantasy5 and Play4. All I have to
do is NOT look at the winning Powerball, Lotto, Lucky Money winning numbers
because I know mine will come out!

I have been
saving money for the past 3 years for my Leap Year birthday celebration but I
don’t think it will cover all my expenses which means I may be in the hole
after it is all over which, in turn, means more cuts and changing my
priorities. People have ‘suggested’ I don’t have the dinner party I planned but
it is something I look forward to every Leap Year and this could be my last but
even if it isn’t it will be my last ‘gala’ celebration. It is important enough
for me because it is my way of saying “Thank you” to the many people who have
been nice, good, giving to me the past 4 years.

I will see
what changes I may have to make starting March 1—well March 2 as on March 1 I
will end the celebration of finally reaching the age of 20 by eating out and
going to see “Kinky Boots”---what I may have to eliminate from my budget.

 

Okay now I
have to go read the comics on line!