Big money

I will be receiving an unexpected windfall in December. A nice sum of money. Ever since I learned of it I have been trying to work out how to make good use of it, how to stretch it yet have fun with it. My main goal is to reduce the payments I make every month, and I will be able to pay off all of my credit cards and set aside the money for my car loan (the interest rate on the car loan is so low it actually makes sense to put that money into a savings account and pay the loan off from there rather than pay the car loan off immediately), which will cut my expenses by about $800 per month.

I am relieved, of course, to have this piece of luck on my side. I didn't do anything to earn it. At the same time I fear myself. My daughter suggested that I set aside a specific amount to blow on fun stuff, and I love that idea. I can put that amount in a separate account and keep track that way and then I am less likely to go through the money without realizing it.

In addition to the fun money, I will take out some for putting down a chunk on my house loan, giving a bunch to various charities, and finding some ways to keep the rest earning money. I will also purchase items I want: energy-efficient, more effective appliances and some camera lenses and other equipment. Items that will make my life more pleasant and that will save some energy, too.

What has been funny is that knowing about this money has not made me deliriously happy. It has given me headaches.