Today I got paid

Cash Money, Baby
Today I got paid. As that cash hit the bank my net worth completed its metamorphosis - delicately, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis in spectacular array - from red to black. That's right, positive net worth for the first time in two years! I'm pretty excited about this achievement, considering freak-spider-attack ER visit set me back $400*.

Achieving positive net worth was Goal #2 for the year. So it looks like I'm on track. This year's third and final goal is a bit more difficult: achieving debt freedom. Goal #1, "Project Kick Sallie Mae in the Face," has helped out with that one ($23k in student loans paid off). Current debts include Tiny Car's payment and these new, exciting hospital bills. First payments for both went out early this week.

Outstanding Debts:

• Sallie Mae: $0, I win. 
• Tiny Car: $6800
• Freak-Spider-Attack ER Visit: $324

*Freak-Spider-Attack Update
Speaking of the freak-spider-attack, it's been two and a half weeks and I still notice that something isn't quite right. Currently it appears the bite site is mutating into a small blister-like bump. That's new. It's like debt - forget about it long enough and that interest builds up menacingly, just below the surface, into a freak-spider-bite bump of evil.

That's a silly way to end this post, but I'm ok with it.

Robert Burns Fund

Heh, today let's talk about the importance of an emergency fund...

I like to think I'm a pretty smart person, but in creating my super awesome debt-payoff plan I neglected to first set aside the recommended six months of fixed expenses in case of emergency - or freak black widow spider attack from the bowels of hell.

That was Tuesday.

One ambulance ride and a three hour ER visit later I'm looking at potentially a rather large bill.

Fortunately I have a couple grand stashed in the pay-car-off account that was to go out later this month. Worst case scenario: debt-freedom gets pushed out a month or two, and net worth goals for the year cry softly to themselves as 2012 kicks them to the gutter.

This is one of those life lessons I suppose. Prepare for the unexpected. Even if you don't think it could ever happen to you, plan for the freak evil-psychotic-demon-spider-from-hell accidents in life.

"But little Mouse, you are not alone,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes of mice and men
Go often askew..."  

Robert Burns knew what was up. Time to actually set up that emergency fund. Maybe I'll call it my Robert Burns fund. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?