Money Unhappens, Money Rehappens

Am I in the hole this month? Ohhhh no. That is what we call a “bottomless pit.”

Once again, I lulled myself into a false sense of confidence and, while bucketing around the tourist section of historic Glendale with friends, succumbed to the siren call of exotic clothing. Actually, quite a few sirens called. And the clothing is all made in the USA, meaning it cost about eight times what something comparable (if you could find it, which you can’t) would cost if it were made in Kuala Lumpur. Every time this happens, it’s invariably at the beginning of the budget cycle. And in theory, I have plenty of money in savings to cover the occasional indulgence—that’s what short-term savings are for, f’rhevvinsake.

So it seems. But, as usual, by making these purchases near the beginning of the month, I was thoughtlessly neglecting to think about the fact that my yard and garage would soon be invaded by a desperado and the police would soon haul me out of my house behind a bullet-proof barricade, and that I would soon be craving steel bars over the doors, ungodly locks, and fancy hard(er)-to-jimmy sliding doors.

How could I have been so careless?

Really. By now you’d think I’d know better. It never fails.

The combination of the clothing (which actually I thought I was charging on last month’s credit-card bill but which didn’t go through and so will come due in another few days) and the $500± for the security door and the locksets put me $1100 over budget. And since my budget is $1100…well. Not to say {gulp!}

So it was that Wonder-Accountant, who’s been trying to help me figure some of this stuff out, and I were surprised when the mail arrived with a missal from American Express:

Dear Funny:

We are writing to inform you that, due to an internal processing error (WONDER-ACCOUNTANT cringes visibly), the annual Costco reward coupon that you received in your February billing statement was incorrect. (WONDER-ACCOUNTANT and FUNNY: “Auuuughhhhhhh!”) We will issue a statement credit (← ←“Say what??”) on your next billing statement (“You mean, the one that’s supposed to come in at about $2200?”) for the remaining reward amount…

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused…

Sincerely,

American Express Customer Care

Please. Inconvenience me some more.

I’m sure the adjustment will be about $1.95, if that much. But hey. Every little bit helps.

Moments of Fame:

James Petzke: Graduating with a Surplus hosted this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance and included Funny’s report on the reviving Phoenix-area real estate market.

Financial Success for Young Adults hosted the Yakezie Carnival, where What a Lender Is Thinking made the cut.