Gotta love money.

[railenthe]

The thing about being really poor is that when you don't make enough money to get yourself something nice for your birthday, it's a mild disappointment. There is another thing about that fact: when you manage to make just enough to pay off all of the bills that you have that month, you still manage to feel accomplished.

This month is one of those.

I looked at this week's paycheck and for a moment felt accomplished. I made an amount of money that had a two in the leading number slot instead of a one. I felt like I was getting somewhere. Then I sat down and did the math, and realized that I hadn't had as much money as I thought.

You know, I actually don't make enough money to save money for a rainy day—or, really, even a sunny day, most of the time. There just isn't that much cushion. Especially when you live in such a situation when your rent isn't even static. Mine's about to go up for no other reason than it does: it goes up when the season gets better, so that it stays at a rate of 30% of my adjusted income. The little box that I had for my savings is going to be the thing that helps me pay the bills this month.

I'd meant it to be for something else, but that can wait for another day.

…I'd like to do something nice for my birthday, but I just don't have the money to do so.

And frankly, just getting there and wanting to still be around at that point will be enough for me at this point.

Nine days.