Holy cow - most money I've ever had in my life

I just checked my bank balance, and I actually have $18,000 in the bank. I'm thrilled, of course, because I realize that's an excellent down payment for a new home. I'd have about $4000 more if I hadn't bought two new computers over the last couple of years, but mine was dying and I did need a new one. The laptop is just something to encourage me to get out of the house. So far I haven't been brave enough yet to go out in public and just sit by myself working on my laptop.

I should probably try it though. Heaven knows I tune out the rest of the world when I'm blogging here. Oh well, I guess this is my therapy.

I do need some new tires (I squealed around a corner a minute ago - I was embarrassed even though I know nobody saw me. Embarrassed that I let my tires go bald) and definitely a new sofa, but at the same time, I'm not itching to spend that money.

I could do the right thing and "spend" $4000 of it by starting a Roth IRA I've been promising myself for the longest that I would do.

I definitely need a couple of pairs of fall / winter shoes. I wear the same open toe slides nearly every day. Obviously, shoes and clothes are not a big interest of mine.

But I'm not that interested in spending the money, since it took me so long to get to a place where I could actually save. Took me my whole career to get to this point, and the first 3 years I was working back home to be able to pay off the credit card debt I'd run up.

That's what I got for thinking I'd be able to have a second job that was supposed to make me lots of money. Not if you have to buy materials, I don't think. And then there are the inevitable groceries... If you don't get paid enough money for your bills AND food, then you wind up having to charge it.