That time of the month..

..bills.

Mid month I start looking at what's in, what's due (overdue??), what's coming up, and allocating funds to cover my ass. I try to pay as much as I can online since I have a tendency to misplace statements, but there are a few things I have to pay for with a check.

Growing up, my mom would (and still does) pay for groceries with a check. I remember her writing out the check as our 2 or 3 carts of groceries were bagged up and sometimes saying, "That was the last check. Guess that means there's no more money, either". I was sure she was joking.. she had to be.. right..?

So I dutifully sign over my earnings to my landlord, to George Washington University, to the cable God's that satisfy my hockey fix 2-3x a week, and to Verizon so telemarketers and creditors can reach us and so DSL downloads my porn faster. I'm kidding.. maybe. I look ahead to make sure bills still pending will be covered before relaxing, knowing that I made it through/will make it through another month.

Twice a year I have no problem writing a check. In fact, I look forward to it because I know it's for a good cause.. helping someone else. This scholarship is hopefully paying for books with a little something left over. It's my way of giving back... or paying forward? It's my way of giving someone the same opportunities I had. It's my way of starting something in 2003 that I knew I wanted to do in 1997. It's my way of fulfilling a dream. It's my way of crossing something off of my 'to do before I die' list. It's my quiet way of showing that I'm not such a hard-ass.. I am a bit of a softy.. that I actually have feelings! It's my way of showing that I care for where I've come from, where I've been, where I'm at, and how I got here. It's my way of saying 'thanks'.


So I rightfully sign over some of my savings using my last check in the book. I know there's more money. I make sure of it.