My car scenario is a MESS. The truck I bought is not worth what I paid for it (I know, I know, but I bought it from a FRIEND! ACK!) and I don't know how to recoup my loss (I probably won't ever). Now I could buy a different vehicle, but I'm wondering if I should sit tight & bide my time . . .

I had hoped to refinance my home loan, but my ex won't play ball yet, so I'm treading water & getting very frustrated! I certainly won't, at this point, see any tangible money-in-the-bank as a result of this adjustment for the purposes of this contest, but I am using the end-of-year deadline to push this process doggedly forward.

I was invited to travel to England, Wales & Ireland for three weeks -- before the end of the contest -- and, after much agonizing, I've decided to go. I am very well aware that I may thus be ruining any chance I have to win, but as with restrictive diets, I sabotage myself if I feel like I can't have anything. I am trying to manage the expenses smartly: since I'm bringing all 3 children for the first 10 days, I'm trying to economize on lodging and food expenses in-country.,

These hiccups have reminded me that the time-frame imposed by this challenge does not neatly correspond to my personal financial timeline, and that's ok. I think we've all expressed the idea that by being pulically accountable, we've all thought twice about the consequences of our behavior -- kind of like a Weight Watchers meeting, I suppose. I regret very little. I'm doing better than I imagined. I think I've made permanent and lasting change.

At least that's what I'll remind myself when I lose my the amount of my plane tickets abroad. But wait! My goal with my "winnings" was to take a trip with my kids . . . and I've positioned myself to do that. How very cool.

Anyone want to house-sit?