I got an annual statement from the IRS

today, detailing my payments through May. I've made three since then (including the infamous double payment in June). The upshot is that I'm more than halfway to paying them off, and my last payment should be December (or at least if there is one in January, it will be a few dollars for interest). This is rather heartening, as it has been a hardship. This year I paid my taxes on time, and next year I may actually get a refund, as I will (hopefully) have only one job to deal with this year and everything should be paid off by then. So, the end is in sight. Hurrah. Of course, after that, I need to start paying on my student loans which are currently in forbearance since there was no way I could do both. So I'm not sure there is a car fund in my future, but maybe if I could put a little from each paycheque in, it might take awhile, but it would get there. Still, I may not be able to start until the beginning of the year (see below for why).

The end is in sight for physical therapy, as well. It looks like I need to go maybe two more weeks. The pain's been gone for awhile and I can actually feel my fingers again. I've checked with the optometrist to see how much my contacts will be, but they couldn't find my file earlier, so I'll have to check back tomorrow. I'd like to get them before my flexible spending account goes empty, but still have enough to fund the PT sessions. I think my vision plan will pay most of it. I only have about $350 left, so it will drain quickly, plus I have two specialist appointments and my regular doctor next month. The specialists and the PT sessions are $40 a pop. That's $300 by the end of August. Then there's my medicine and diabetic supplies, which runs about $275 a month after insurance, and that I'll have to pay out of pocket, so things are going to be very tight for the rest of the year. Some are more vital than others; I'm tempted to go off my medicine for the triglycerides and ADD. That would be $100 in savings right there. But I'll try to keep them. It's a shame when you have insurance--decent insurance, mind you, that pays for a lot others won't, but you still are trying to decide what you can get to keep you healthy.