My doctor called me yesterday with the good news! The breast biopsy was negative….Thank God!

Though that was great news…I receive bad news on Friday evening…my oldest sister was diagnosed with terminal Cancer and though we are seeking additional help from one of the best innovative cancer research center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York; it’s going be a difficult road. My guilt of not being in New York to help my sister, mother and the family hurts but additional not having saving to help my mother with the expenses is also killing me! I regret being so careless with my money!

Yesterday, I had my first conversation with a Balance Financial Counselor. They offered me a great deal; pay-off my debits in four years, three months. Great! Yet, it has two down-falls; first, I will no longer have a credit card in case of emergency and secondly, my credit score will take a dive. Not the ideal situations for someone who doesn’t have an emergency fund or savings. So, I can continue living pay check to pay check, hoping for the best or start making some serious financial life changes. What should I do?

I don’t know what my Mom’s so worried about! I really did want the Samsung Glyde from the beginning. I know she doesn’t believe me and feels like she has let me down. She thinks I got the cheaper phone and that I really wanted the LG DARE or a Blackberry Storm but what good are they without the Mobile Broadband Data package. Just joking! I guess if we had the money to blow than the other phone would be nice to have but the Glyde is a pretty cool cell phone. I think she really wanted my cell phone but didn’t want to spend the extra $20. I told her I’ll get a part-time job but she doesn’t want me to until the summer.

#1 Total madness...it seems pretty easy...just change your ways and stop spending...but it doesn't always work-out that way. Last week, I had to fly out to California for business; so being a single mom, I had to organize myself, my son, and the dog. I got so frustrated that I began to revert to my old habits; not packing lunch to save time, eating out on the run, spending quality time with my son at restaurants before leaving him for the week, buying new outfits for my trip...justifying each purchase as I went through my days and the week. It took Brandon to remind me that we made a commitment to the "WeLifeFIT" challenge. We need to stick with it Mom! So, I toned it down...when I got to California there were several opportunities to network but I carefully picked one luncheon and three dinners out of seven; I was very pleased with myself. The old Daisy would have spent the entire per diem of $64 a day; total of $384 for the week and then some.

#2 On Monday, I had the City of Tallahassee come over for a Free Energy Home Audit. The audit takes about an hour and they check your water heater, AC/Heater units, filters, dishwasher, and more. The auditor told me that my house is in pretty good shape and gave me a goody bag with free energy saving gifts. As he walked through the house, he gave me tips to help make my home more energy efficient. There were some areas in the house that I could improve myself and save some green. First, he suggested I change some of my light bulbs to the more energy efficient one's...they are expensive but last longer according to the Auditor. The City also gives you two energy efficient light bulbs in your goody bag. Secondly, lower my water heater, it was set on high; when in fact, a lower setting does the job; saving me more money. Lastly, he suggests that I cut back my water usage; i.e. showers/baths...Oh no...no way... I have to have a minimum of two shower a day. One wakes me up in the morning and the other is my relaxing shower or bath. It's the only time I have that is not interrupted with the everyday demands; I need; can we; have you; or any other life annoyances. I will replace the shower head with the energy efficient one; also included in your goody bag.

#3 Verizon Nightmare... No one told me changing my current cellular phone provider would cause some many headaches. First, services fees are added for each additional line; two lines cost an extra $50. Second, your current cellular phones that are perfectly good can't be converted; thus you have to purchase new phones; an additional cost of $239 but they give you annoying rebate saving of $100 after you mail them in but don't forget about the new phone accessories an additional $35.08. Seriously! Subtracting the rebates you have just spent $274.08. Can't live without text messages; additional $5 for 250 test messages for me and for Brandon's line additional $10. The plan only calls for two lines, so the extra line for my mother $9.99. Oh...you want the "Family & Friends" plan; that requires that you select the 1400 minutes minimum $89.99. Wait it gets better! Your new plan also includes a "Proration of Services" translation; you pay a month in advance plus your current bill. So, when it all done $529.14 out of pocket; plus the hassles of a $100 mail-in rebate. I thought I would be saving money; I have 30 days to return it all. I guess in the long run bundling up will save me some cash. After bundling up my mother's cell phone (I pay the bill), house phone (we never use) and Brandon and my cell phones, I will save $536 a year; this year only $107.

#4 Routine Mammography Appointment..There is an abnormality with your first screening and your second...doctor told me as I sat there in shock. We talked for awhile about family history and options. She seemed confident that it was more than likely just Fibroadenoma but was recommending that I go to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for follow-up and breast biopsy.

• 1^st thought; was Brandon...what if something goes wrong.
• 2^nd thought; I don't have a "Will"...I kept saying I was going to take care of it but didn't.
• 3^rd thought; give my family history I should have gotten that supplement Cancer Insurance during open enrollment but didn't know if I could afford it!
• 4^th thought; how much debt would I leave my family with?