Yesterday, Steve walked down to the basement at around 8:00 to put in a load of laundry and was surprised by a puddle of water surrounding the hot water heater.  He figured out how to turn off the water, and I called my parents, since we have no idea what to do when these household crises occur.  Dad had us check the date on the boiler.  1991.  "Oh, it’s shot.  Those things only last for 10 years.  You’ve been running on borrowed time."  Who knew?

So, mom had us call PSE&G who sent over a guy later that afternoon.  With much banging and hole drilling later, we had a new boiler.  And a new headache.  The thing cost $1,200.  We can cover it, thank God. But that’s a huge blow to the budget.

Steve and I try to keep to a budget that we’ve set up on Quicken.  (Jane Galt, are you proud?) But it’s these unexpected expenses that nail us every time.

Question of the Day What was your last unexpected expense?