A case of the financial blahs

First, my phone stopped charging. That was $100 to fix.

I always stay up later than T, usually either reading or doing something online. I have a reading light with a switch on my side of the bed, so when I do decide to turn in, it’s just a matter of reaching up and flicking it. Sometimes I can’t be bothered getting up to put my laptop on the desk, so I plop it on the floor on my side of the bed. Last month, while coming around to kiss me goodbye in the dark, dark winter morning, he stepped on the edge of the laptop. $200 to replace the screen (momentary panic when someone I thought was reasonably web-savvy on Twitter told me it would be just as pricey to buy a new one, and my computer is starting to slow down a lot, but not enough to fork out for a replacement).

T’s also motorbike needs some work. (He may  decide to sell it after that.) More moolah.

Our annual car insurance bill arrived. The good news: the premium actually dropped, thanks at least in part to the no claims bonus increasing from 40 to 50 percent. I had planned to cancel full cover, but now that it’s decreased to less than $1000, I think we’ll keep it on. Even third-party, fire and theft alone is still something like $400-500. But that’s a hefty lump to pay all at once, nonetheless.

Then the car itself. Oh, the car. We needed two new tyres and two lights fixed. We also needed a butt ton of wires fixed – some T melted ages ago while puttering around with the stereo. After all that, the ABS light was still on (which is stopping us getting a warrant) so a new ABS computer too. $1500. And after that, the light is STILL on. Now apparently there are more buggered wires in the back that need replacing. FML.

And apparently I owe tax. Back in 2010 I pulled in a decent amount of side income through a freelance gig, and I think ended up owing less than $500 come 2011. That ended last year because I joined the company fulltime. However, my last couple of invoices fell within the 2012 tax year (and added up to about $2000). But add that to my normal income for the year and somehow I owe just over $1000 to the IRD. Grr. I personally can’t think of a fate worse than becoming an accountant (it’s just not up my alley) but I can see why they charge so much. Infernal taxes. To add to that, ACC seems to think I’m self-employed and has sent me a letter to confirm my cover. Goody – more dealings with government agencies to straighten that out. It was great being able to bank that extra $ at the time but the extra taxes and hassle almost negate the benefits.

We splashed out on a bit of a staycation – a night at the Stamford, dinner out (with a voucher) and brunch the next day (plus parking, to the tune of $271. No regrets, and it was a much-needed break, but still a pretty penny.

The government’s budget slashed funding for students. That’s put an end to one of my best friends planning to move in with us. I’m glad; I love living alone, just me and T, but the extra money would have been nice, and he’d be an ideal flatmate, a busy grad student rarely home. Our spare room is absolutely tiny and not worthy of being called a bedroom, but he was keen to move in nonetheless – he suggested it. OTOH, we’re technically not supposed to have any other flatmates, so we’d have to disguise the fact someone else was living here come quarterly property inspection time.

Finally, my no clothing/beauty purchases ban is still going strong. But I may well need to replace two pairs of shoes very soon, and also, my handbag. I don’t believe in buying expensive ballet flats, because they wear out just as quickly on me. But I think it may be worth shelling out for a decent bag that won’t fall apart. What’s a reasonable amount to spend?