My birthday yesterday was less then great

[Kaleva]

12. Have found out more about the ex's finances in the past couple of days.

"Oy vey" sums up my feelings right now but it is all workable.

She's past due on the electric bill by a little over $500. The premium on her home owners insurance policy is due within a few days and that a little over $300.

I told her I'll cover the home owner's insurance policy, which will be my Christmas present to her and pay for the Christmas dinner which will be my present to everybody else in the family. She'll be in default on the property taxes next March but will have a year to catch up before it actually goes up for tax sale. As part of the divorce settlement, she got most everything including what was due on the property taxes. We had the money to pay it but she thought it more important at the time to spend it on other stuff. I can make payments what is owed for 2011 if she can then pay 2012's property taxes AND begin to set aside money to cover 2013 property taxes.

This leaves me with about $50 spending money for myself for the month. But all bills and regular expense are covered including my own winter property taxes and homeowners insurance premium so I'll be fine.