Yesterday's mail brought me a cashier's check from the ex for his portion of the student loan. I was wrong to question if he would pay me or not. I know money is tight for him and I guess I just thought I would be the low person on the bill paying totem pole. I was.....wrong.

Yay! So now, I get to save some money this month towards my goal. I already deposited his check (along with a survey check) into my bank account. I just might be able to keep on track to save my $5000 this year.

One last note about my student loan debt and I will try to not mention it again. I will never be debt free until this is paid off, but I can't pay it off early. Even if I were to pay my 1/3 of the total cost, it doesn't mean I will be debt free unless he pays his 2/3 at the same time. So I will have this payment for quite a few years. It would be nice to be able to pay it off like I did the credit card I took out of the marriage. Oh well, live and learn.

I get paid on Mondays (of all things!). The money is already accounted for and out-the-door. My federal refund showed up in my account too. It's already going to go towards my yearly car insurance, so no fun there.

Unfortunately, since the ex has been late on the last three months of the joint student loan payment, I have taken that over. Our agreement is that he pays 2/3, I pay 1/3. I had been sending him my 1/3 as a check and then he paid the total payment. Not anymore. Now I am paying the full amount, hoping that he will pay me the 2/3. I'm not counting on it, though. I normally would save a chunk out of this check, but instead I will pay the student loan and if he sends the check, I will put that into savings. I won't go into details about what will happen if he doesn't pay. No one wants to go to court.

My advice to everyone? DON'T CONSOLIDATE YOUR STUDENT LOANS WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER. Even if things are wonderful now and you are never going to get divorced--just don't do it. They won't untangle you if something should happen. Or if your loved one should pass away, you are responsible for the entire amount. Just. don't. do. it.

I successfully had two NSDs this weekend. This morning I went to the grocery store and spent $21 on food and $4 on the cats. I think if I pick up a very few more things (bread, milk), I can go all next week without shopping. That's my goal.