crap…it all adds up May 14, 2008
So a bit ago Scott got a speeding ticket. Its going to be high enough that it takes all of our tax relief check, but its good that we have it. Yesterday I went to the dentist to replace a filling that fell out and they told me I need a root canal. Sucky thing is they don’t take our dental insurance anymore. I paid for what I had done, but she told me I should look around. The thing is the clinic on base in Germany did one for Scott and they did it wrong and he had to have the tooth pulled. My family has been going to this dentist for years and my sister even worked there for a while. I know they do good work. It scares me a little to go somewhere I don’t know about. What if they screw me up or tell me I need a whole bunch more work than I really do? Its going to be about $800 all said and done if I get it done without the insurance. Thats a lot of money. Then today I went to register the car. It didn’t pass inspection, it needs a few things. Wiper blades, okay I got that. A front parking light, again easy one. A new front right tire. Could be big, but I have a full size spare in the shed for it, so just the $15 to put it on. So whats the issue you ask? It also needs a new windshield. So what about $300 for that? Its also going to cost about $300 for the tags/title/registration for two years. So thats about $2500 worth of stuff I wasn’t expecting. To top the car off I have to wait for the title from CA to be mailed her to register it here. Chase said that it could and most likely will take 21 days to get to me. If it does then I go past the 60 days where I don’t have to pay full tax to register the car. I can maybe write a letter saying I started the process before the 60 days were up and hope they accept that. If I were to pay the car off today I would save a little on interest and then they would mail the title out within 10 days. What to do…I guess we really don’t have the money for that right now, I mean we only owe a little over $1500 on the car, so its possible I guess. We are going go wait to pay the ticket until Scott goes to court. I’m sure the cop will show, but maybe he can get a reduced sentence for the fine and the points, or do some community service. Plus that gives us some time to save up for that. Every time I think we are getting a little ahead something comes along to show just how far behind we can fall. Anyway I guess I should get dressed and hit the commissary. I need some basic stuff and dinner tonight.
Yeah windshields aren’t cheap. We had to replace ours when we moved here because there was a crack in it less than a cm into where the blades go on the drivers side. I’ll be prayin’ for you guys that it’ll all work out. Financial binds suck.
As for the dentist, I’d go where they will take the insurance. I know the place you’re going to now has been in your life for a while, and it’s loyalty to them…but it’s not worth it if you can’t use your insurance there. Just my opinion though.
Our stimulus check came out to $1500, maybe you could use that to pay off the car if you’re going to be waiting to pay off Scott’s ticket anyway. That doesn’t help your other bills, but its just an idea. I would look up how much United Concordia covers for root canals before you made your decision. If they only cover 20% it might be worth it just to go to the one you trust. If they cover 80% that would be a different story. I want to say they only covered 20% on my crown, but it’s been a while and I don’t really remember. And the one positive in all this–at least all that is in dollars not euro!
Sorry that everything is adding up. I agree, see what percentage where your going will pay and make a decision from there. But, I’m pretty cheap, so I’d probably just go somewhere else (though I know how shitty dentist work can be).
Hope your days better today. I guess it’s a good thing for the stimulus or you’d be worried even more.