Things we need to improve our home network.

Sure, it works fine for right now, but I'm looking at a long-term solution that will free up some system resources on Tadaka, since that little 450 is getting really taxed.

- An ethernet DSL modem - our current USB DSL drags down boot-up and is a system resource hog - not to mention that if Tadaka crashes, the net connection goes with it
- A router with built-in firewall and PPPoE handling - to remove the connection's well-being from the PC's well-being as much as possible
- More network cable or a wireless network - One 14 ft. patch cable and one 14 ft. crossover cable's not going to cut it forever. My preference would be a wireless network, akin to what my dad has set up at home, but my wallet says that we're going to be on cable for the foreseeable future
- Two faster computers - okay, these aren't really necessary for the network, but it definitely would improve the home computing experience. :)

Screaming meme-ies.

Find your emotion! [?]

Am I passion? Z, what do you think?

I hate budgets. Really I do.

Well, was going over bills during a slow patch at work, and checking what next paycheck's budget looks like, and the numbers aren't nearly as good as I'd hoped. The car ate the lion's share of our remaining tax refund, since it was almost $300 over our state refund. Half of the federal had already gone towards catching up bills, and what's left has been taken up by combined small purchases and the fact that, with Z recouperating, we've been eating out a lot more than normal. We're not in any danger of not making bills, thank goodness, but we'll soon be right back where we were - living paycheck to paycheck, with no buffer.

Well, we do have one buffer - the $275 we've set aside for the PS2. As much as I hate to do it, I think it's best if I just abandon that little pipe dream and put the money towards more important things. If I want a PS2 that badly, I can wait until after the car's paid off in November, and then I can afford it in 2 months. It's just a luxury item anyway; it's not like we need it. I've got plenty of older Playstation games to beat, and I can play on my friends' PS2s. Besides, with our net connection now shared at home, I can play on the PC without interrupting Z's online time, which opens up more games for me.

Honestly, I think it's for the best. We'll put this money in the bank, and cut down on any extraneous expenses - cards, books, movies, etc. - and we'll do fine. No eating out except for special occasions, and just focus on getting bills paid and credit cards paid off. And then, maybe I can look at getting Z a new tablet, and then the new PS2 can go after that. Maybe for my 26th birthday next year - the price should have dropped by then.