Show Me The Money

Ever have one of those days where you feel like everywhere you turn someone is demanding "Show me the money!"? Well, today was my day.

My car is a good little car and I try my best to take care of it, but today I had to take it to the shop. I went in for one little thing...the horn. See, when I got the car it had this sickening little wheeze of a horn sound. Well, after several years and just maybe one too many honks, it gave up the ghost. I also need to have the thing inspected and I knew that without the horn it wouldn't pass. So, how much could it cost to fix the horn? I wouldn't know, because it was also discovered that I needed a new headlight thing-a-mah-bob, the fuel filter and some plugs needed replacing, and the timing belt needed to be replaced. These guys are reputable and do outstanding work. My parents have used them for years, but when he said the total was $680 I just about fell out. That is more than my rent! More than my rent and cable and phone put together! I guess this is what savings accounts and rainy days are all about huh?

That was this morning.

As I mentioned before, I'm having to have my wisdom teeth extracted (sounds more dramatic!) this summer. Today was the pre-surgery consult. Well, the oral surgeon I'm using will file my insurance, but they don't accept it as payment. That means I shelled out $125 for the visit and the three second X-ray. I also found out that my bottom teeth are embedded in the jaw bone so the extraction will be a "bony extraction" which means I have to be put to sleep and the teeth have to be cut before they can be removed. I found out all kinds of scary stuff. Like, I'll be put to sleep. The surgery will take an hour and a half. Because of the position of my bottom wisdom teeth (they lay flat instead of standing up like good teeth) it will most likely being a swelling and painful recovery process. My doctor even said, "You'll probably be cussin' me for the first few days." Thanks, but that wasn't encouraging Doc. As if all that information wasn't enough...the receptionist laid the boom on me. The total (before insurance...which mine might yeah MIGHT cover only 80%) is $1645. Yeah you read that right.

I figured I'd better come home and stay put lest anyone else come find me and say I owed them money! Feel free to start a collection in my name. Okay okay I figured that one wouldn't go over, but please do send up thoughts and prayers that my insurance will cover the full 80%. My checking account and I would really appreciate it!