nottoolatetostart, very sweet of you to worry for me. My carefulness probably has more to do with anxiety about whether I have forgotten anything, and a lack of confidence in my financial skillz, than any real likelihood that I could run into trouble. Really, worst comes to worst (shhh ... don't tell the face punching type of mustachians!) I could put anything I need onto my credit card, if I had to. And I get paid on or nearest business day to the 25th of each month, so a little ways to go, but I should be just fine.
MissPiggy, LOL at the google search. Yes! The highs and lows of monthly pay, when you can't or don't want to keep a good size buffer in the account, can feel much like that!
Mongoose, yikes about the significantly lower tax return than expected! Also, funny you tell the story about DH and trying to pay things 3 months in advance. I was reflecting on the fact that before I started working for the church, back when I was getting paid every two weeks, I actually used to pay things that way. The utility type bills naturally split themselves into those that came earlier in the month, and those that came later, plus I even paid my rent bi-weekly instead of monthly. My father was my landlord, so he didn't really care how it came in to him, as long as it all worked out right over the course of the year. But yes, your suggestion to think of it like a balance transfer is Uber Uber Helpful! That's what I will do, if I don't think that I can manage paying both CC#1 in its entirety, plus CC#2 monthly charges plus minimum payment.
But, I am feeling more and more confident that I'll be able to make it. Because today, I was very productive on little financial tasks...
1. I stopped by the gym that I have never gone to and cancelled my membership (it hadn't opened yet at the time I signed up for the membership, but then life got in the way by the time it did open, and I still have never gone and it is just ridiculous but I don't see myself starting anytime soon, so boom! Cancel!) That means paying a little bit less this month (before my next pay) and a little bit less (leaving more room for bill payments) on next pay.
2. I submitted an expense form for a couple of prescriptions. Not very expensive ones, but almost $50.
3. I submitted an expense form for Continuing Ed account for books I bought a few months ago. Another $60 or so?
I was remembering that I should also be getting a cheque for a $10 rebate on dog/cat food that I sent off at the end of 2016. Every little bit helps, right?
I also mailed off requests for a free copy of my credit report, from both Equifax and TransUnion. I intend to apply soon for a new CC with a balance transfer / 0% interest rate offer, but I have been wanting to check my report before I do. Besides, it's been a while since I've reviewed my credit report, and that's something that's good to do periodically!