One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I swear, I have a black cloud hanging over my head where finance is concerned. It's like every step forward I take, I get kicked back two. I got paid on Friday and my pay cheque was a little more than usual because at this time of the year I've maxed out on EI and CPP so they stop deducting the amounts off my pay. My first thought - finally I can get those two pair of pants that are too big tailored so I have something to wear to work other than the two pairs I've been alternating. And it also meant I could do my Christmas shopping. Whew.

Then the black cloud came storming in. My car--whose lease is up in March--decides to do something funky. By funky I mean making a clicking sensation when I turn the steering wheel too far to the right. It doesn't seem to affect the steering or how the car handles but I know the clicking isn't good. It's not supposed to be there and I better get it checked out. My first reaction was 'just ignore it, I can't afford repairs right now!', but ignoring it isn't going to make it go away, no matter how much I wish it would.

So Christmas shopping got put on hold and the car goes in to get checked out tomorrow morning. Which on top of everything else is going to cut into my writing time. I'm trying not to stress. The warranty ran out in April, so the basic stuff isn't covered. The power train warranty is still in effect, but my luck it won't be something covered under that. And since when it comes to stuff like this you might as well call me Schleprock, I'm guessing whatever is wrong will eat up the piddly amount I had for Christmas shopping and then some. Not sure exactly where the 'and then some' is going to come from, or how I'm going to afford Christmas gifts after I pay for the car. I'm trying not to think about. Which means I can't think of anything else.

I knew I should have gotten me a Sugar Daddy...