Today I finally went to the dentist to have my teeth checked. The ones which have been bothering me for several months. But that really is just a small part of my day today.
It started with my tutoring student telling me he had not spent any time studying the study cards, and that the night before a test he had all of three days to prepare for, that he's going to a friends house for a few hours. I seriously don't get it. I care more about him passing than he does. Only one more week left working with him. If he passes, then I might work with him again next year. I'm not so sure though that I even want to.
After tutoring, I got my oil changed. Had a $5 coupon and got a raincheck for a free car wash ( since it was pouring rain). $26.84 total
Then I went to the library to pick up a bunch of books I had on hold. (the Alice books by Phyllis Naylor) books 1,2 and 4-9 were all there. Book number 3 hadn't even been put in transit. I'd ordered all of them on the same day, and none of them had other requests. The CSR released the hold on that copy, and put it on a different copy. Hopefully I'll have it before I finish the first two.
Finally, I head down the road for my dentist appt. He is located in a town I lived in several different places, and also attended a nearby university. So I knew a great Chinese place with the best Egg Foo Young. I parked, and before going in checked to see the showtimes for Shrek 4. The local movie place has first run movies for $3. I turned my car off, but not my lights.
A few minutes later I got out (the first showing wasn't till after my appt) to go eat. Soon I found out they didn't take cc or debit. So back to my car for another plan.
The problem was though, my battery was dead!!! Argh!! After about 15 minutes a lady helped me jump start my car. I didn't want to turn it off till I was sure it was recharged, so went through TB drive through and then just drove around looking at the places I'd lived before for about an hour.
I finally went into the dentist about 30 minutes early, and an hour later was seen. Final prognosis is that I have at least two cavaties on the left side (where they xrayed) and one tooth that most likely needs a crown soon.
Total cost of prognosis (2 fillings, right side xrays, and. crown) $1700!!!
Today's visit -$85.
I feel so frustrated. My car has now done this twice - where the battery dies if the lights are left on after the motor goes off. Plus all the problems I had with it last summer.
Then I have a sinking feeling that before my doctor will renew my synthroid (hypothyroid) prescription, she's going to insist on an office visit and bloodwork. $3-400.
Then of course all this dental work. I could let it go - but what if the tooth cracks? And the cavaties will only be worse later.
Right now I have enough savings to pay for fall semester tuition. IF I find some income for the summer.
I'm really tempted to use my Roth Ira contribuitions. There'd be just about enough to pay for the dental work, and I don't think there'd be any tax consequences.
Or, I could just not continue my degree right now, and try to find full time work and rebuild my savings. I'd really hate to do that though, with only 16 credits to go. Plus there's no guarantee I'd find anything.
My Day
May 21st, 2010 at 12:32 am
May 21st, 2010 at 02:00 am 1274407241
I thought your parents were going to chip in for dental repairs. I would take them up on it if they are still able to help. Your dental health is VERY important.
Good luck, Laura!
May 21st, 2010 at 02:50 am 1274410213
My mom has said she'd be willing to chip in for the dental ... but I'm not sure if she meant just for the checkup to see what's going on (today's visit) or chipping in for whatever it takes to fix it. Either way, $1700 is a lot of money -- and I just couldn't accept that much. The only way I could do it I guess is if we came up with some kind of repayment agreement, so it would be more of a loan.
Hmm.. I'm not sure if I quite meet the 5 year requirement for the IRA. But ... I could pull out the money and use it to pay for my tuition expenses, then use the money that's earmarked for tuition right now to pay for the dental stuff.
May 21st, 2010 at 06:43 am 1274424237
May 21st, 2010 at 12:06 pm 1274443581
I know we are supposed to not use credit cards, but if it doesn't charge interest and you are not dipping into your Roth, it might be an option.
And, I say, keep going for those last 16 credits. Yay.
May 21st, 2010 at 03:35 pm 1274456108
That said, you can take out ROTH contributions, any time, without penalty. It's the "earnings" that is subject to the 5-year rule. Which in many ways, may be the best solution.
I only say this knowing your individual situation. You are in a temporary space with no debts (Correct?) and I know you can make it up easy peasy once you get a "real job" again.
Make sure to ask for a cash discount. The kids' dentist automatically gives 10% discount since we are not insured. Which is nice, since we can still card it for rewards, but get the "Cash discount."
May 21st, 2010 at 05:09 pm 1274461795
Campfrugal,
I hadn't thought about care credit. I will look into that.
Monkeymama,
yes, as of now I have no debt. I hate the idea of borrowing from my Roth, but this may be a situation where it is warranted. It isn't as though the little bit I have in it is going to do much financially for me in the long run.