Good morning! Come on in! Sit down, have a hot drink and let’s catch up on more of this week’s going-on. I jotted some thoughts and updated on my physical health yesterday, feel free to go read that post first.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you I feel excited because I am assembling my new raised beds this weekend, taking advantage of the 60-degree temperatures. Yes, you heard right – beds. After getting a $20 off coupon in my email, I decided to get one more – a slightly larger one. The hardest part will be moving the existing grow bags out of the way with no help.

Now, I know I mentioned before on this blog about having a tight budget. The truth is I’ve learned to buy on installment and it’s been very helpful. For example, I’m paying for these beds over a 8-week period and with the payment not starting until next month, it allows me to plan.

I’ve been paying things off mostly in installments these days and even though it does take a little longer to put off debt, I’m able to minimize the payments and grow my savings. For example, with the 8 weeks payment plan, I am only paying half in a month and last time I checked, 50% is less than 100%.

I’m so glad I’m able to do a 6-month payment plan for the hefty amount I had to pay for my car’s repair. I also think paying in installment is kinda smart especially when those payments are interest-free. These smaller transactions are enabling me to put more into my savings instead of paying a large amount up front.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you I received my property tax bill this week. It’s not something I (and probably any normal person) look forward to each year. After spending a little time to examine the bill, it turned out there’s a way to pay property taxes in installments.

Immediately, I enrolled into this program but there was a problem, I realized. There are 2 names on my deed – mine and my aunt in China. My mom had put her sister’s name to prevent me from evicting either of them. The enrollment form needed all the owners’ names. After some contemplation, I decided to take a chance and just put my name. After all, I’m the one who’s paying.

Thankfully, the county treasurer replied my email the next morning and he will process the form. Phew…

This should help with next year’s taxes since I’d be making a total of 10 payments as opposed to one large payment like I have to do for this year’s taxes. I think with the payment plan in place, I will be better prepare for next year and then I won’t even have to think about giving into mom and add her to my deed to reduce my property taxes. That’s the last thing I want to do.

I didn’t tell mom about any of this because I’d know how she’ll react. She’d say I’m being stupid as this year might be my last year to have to pay the full amount and that after adding her to my deed next year, I’ll probably only have to pay a few hundred dollars. Again, last thing I want to do. I’m choosing not to tell mom as I don’t have the energy to argue with her these days.

The other night she’d joined me to watch the news (which I only watch the weather), when the commercial came on about one of the candidates running for U.S. senate, she shouted, “liar.”

“How can you judge so quick?” I said. She doesn’t even know the guy nor has she been watching the debates. She has no idea what agenda this guy has if he won.

“Oh, so you voted for this guy?” Mom snapped. I turned off the TV. There was no way I’m telling her who I voted for nor did I want to argue with her, especially not over politics. “Don’t come crying when he raises your taxes.”

I voted last weekend and the whole time, I had to shield my ballot from her as she was constantly hoovering to see who I voted for and whether I voted according to her. My vote should be my choice. After all, it’s my right and who I vote for should be of my own volition, my decision and shouldn’t be dictated by anyone, right?

#weekendcoffeeshare is hosted by Natalie of Natalie the Explorer. I appreciate you stopping by and hope to chat again same time next week.