Start to get my finances in order during the month of June

and will continue. Well worth it!

and my finances will have to change with them. Right now, I don’t even know where they stand. I have been too busy follwing hubby from hospital to hospital and then getting his care established at home. He will never work again, so some major adjustments will be needed.

Over the long term, but starting this month, I need to

1. Figure out how much income we will have. His sick leave runs out this month, but he was smart enough to buy disability insurance. He will have disability pay at 60% of his current rate. The short-term disability ends when his employment does (I have asked for a 12-month unpaid leave of absence for him). Not sure about long-term. Have to figure that out.

2. Figure out how much life insurance I need. We both had life insurance, but that was based on the other person being able to work. I have to make sure there is enough to care for him for the rest of his life if I die before he does.

3. Develop a spending plan.

4. Sort out the health insurance situation. Several glitches have taken place in the insurance coverage, resulting in denial of a good many claims. My human resources person at work, who is very good at what she does, is sorting it all out, but I still have a couple of collecton agencies after me. Grrrr! This would ordinarily send me into orbit, but I have had to use my energy in other places. I still have to figure out what I legitimately owe once insurance has paid and pay it.

5. Sort out my tax situation. Since I employ a full time caregiver, I have to take taxes put of her wages (went to IRS.gov and figured that out). I also have to figure out where and when to send those taxes in.

6. Meticulously save all of the expense records related to hubby’s illness. I will be able to tax-deduct big time next year.

7. Go on a money diet in June. No more retail therapy! I think I will make this a separate goal in itself.