Today's the day where we find out if everything is okay after the trip. Everyone was incredibly worried about me driving that far given what happened last time. Since I'm stubborn, I refused to miss out on it just because I'm expecting. I'd feel really terrible if everything isn't okay given everyone's concern. I did clear the trip with my doctor beforehand and feel like I did everything in my power to take precautions. I feel good and haven't had any concerning signs, so I'm hoping everything is fine.

In financial news, I found out at my therapy appointment that I owed another $80. I had been told that the counseling facility was covered by Tricare. I finally figured out how to access my EOB and account info. I found out that I'm at $297 of our $300 deductible and $950 of our $1000 catastrophic cap. Since I still have almost $500 in the FSA, it should more than cover any remaining medical expenses through the end of the year.

It's been brutal adjusting to being back. The trip was really relaxing and just what I needed. The drive there and back was a bit rough given my condition, but it was so nice to be able to tell family and friends in person. We did spend quite a bit more than anticipated considering the 'budget' that I'd set barely ended up covering gas. In the future, I'll have to actually do some math rather than just guessing at a random number. All told, we spent just under $700 which I covered by pulling from other categories. I'm really grateful that we were able to make these memories without stressing about money or going further in to debt.

Debt-wise, this was a poorer month in terms of payoffs. I didn't make much leeway on my goals, but I'm trying not to beat myself up about it since we have a lot of competing priorities at the moment. All I can do is keep pushing forward.

We've had a lot of random spending lately (groceries, household, gifts, and entertainment). I currently have about 8 categories that are over budget. The reality is that the money is there in my account, but I really don't want to pull from the car fund, so I'm letting it sit over budget until Friday. DH's paycheck Friday should catch us up. That coupled with my paycheck next week will fund us through the end of October. If I top up all my goals categories (which I'll likely do), then our first November paychecks will go towards rent. I'd like to be more ahead, but for right now, it's okay since the car fund is sitting as a giant buffer in our account.

One other thing that I did recently was increase my retirement. I had always interpreted the 401k match incorrectly, thinking that it was 50% matched up to 4% meaning their max contribution would be 4%. That would mean I need 8% to max it out. However, it actually means that they only match on the first 4%. Since I already contribute 3%, I increased it to 4% to take full advantage of the company match. It will likely stay there for awhile. My latest projections have us debt-free except for the mortgage by 2021, so at that point, we'll start playing catch up.

I just set up a credit card payment to pay the statement balance in full for the credit card that we use for everyday things. Technically, there's another $150ish set aside for the payment, but I just did the statement balance. The money was set aside in YNAB for current purchases put on the card, so this officially means I'm riding the credit card float. It's strange that this is a big milestone, but I certainly consider it one. This is the first time since early last year when our dog got sick that we've been able to pay a balance in full on this card. The goal is to have the card paid off completely by December (which will also be the one year mark of losing my dog).

I'm so, so tired. Since I'm out on my trip next week, I've been trying to make it in to the office every day this week. Today was incredibly difficult, but I made it. I'm leaving a bit early for a therapy appointment. Hoping the therapy helps with everything I've been dealing with.

Financially, we're slipping a bit, but mostly holding it together. I need to get a better bill payment system in place. With me being out of it, I've paid 3 bills late so far this month. The money was there. I just forgot. Fortunately, we're in a much better place now thanks to YNAB, so it's not terrible. My 'Idiot Tax' category has been getting some use though.

I've also been trying to get out more to help improve my mood. My friends have a whole October schedule planned. We did apple picking last weekend. This weekend is a local event where they use pumpkins to create these elaborate sculptures and then an afternoon of fall crafts. I opted out of the event because it's almost $30/ticket. I've been wanting to go for years, and DH said it was my call, but that next year would probably be more special with a kid in tow. For fall crafts, we're mostly trying to use what we have on hand. I'm going to host since I have a yard for the dogs, and my friends know that moving is hard, so they offered to come to me. We're going to do Italian night. I'm going to cheat and get the Stouffer's veggie lasagna, one's bringing pasta/meatballs, and of course, garlic bread! I may also pick up a salad even though I can't necessarily eat it. I'm getting better at the veggies, but only if they're hidden.

Edited - Forgot to update intro...Below are our original goals for the remainder of 2018 along with how we're tracking to meet them. As I thought, September was difficult. Hoping to get things back on track through the end of the year for everything except last month's income. Since kiddo is (hopefully) due in April, we plan to have last month's income in place by then.

1) Pay off 2 more credit cards (Ashley Furniture balance: $827, Marriott balance: $2500): On track - Paid $544.01 extra to Marriott (1621.64 remaining) in addition to current charges and interest payments. Paid $180 to Ashley Furniture ($370 remaining).
2) Save 10k in a replacement car fund. (Original balance $50): Slightly behind - I was able to put aside $800ish this month. We'll see how this continues tracking, but the goal will be a new-to-us car with whatever balance we end up with. New balance is $5854.86.
3) Live off last month's income. (Orginal - $2500): Behind - I've decided this goal is lowest on our priorities list. I actually didn't put anything towards this choosing instead to throw as much as we could into the car replacement fund. Current balance is $0.
4) Fulfill fireplace fixing and dining room pantry savings goals ($160): On track - Fireplace account has $480/$800 set aside. Behind - Home Maintenance (where we'll pull the dining room pantry from) currently has $0. We actually added $160, but wiped out the category to get a pressure washer and leaf blower.