Reimbursable Expenses

I've had this entry on the back burner for the last several days. For some reason, the words are not finding their way onto the page. I know what I want to say, but... hmm.. there's a block. So this will just be a ramble, I think.

Wes and I will, at times, spend money that isn't budgeted for things that are to be reimbursed. I recently purchased sodas, film, and craft items for the PTA Sweetheart Ball. I need to submit the receipts for these purchases so that I can be reimbursed. Yet, I've been so lax about this that I have not only forgotten to fill out the check request form and turn in the receipts, but I've misplaced the receipts. It's not as though I don't care about the $250 that I spent on these items. I'm just lazier than I should be when it comes to pulling the money back into the account.

Wes has always had this barrier when it comes to reimbursable work expenses too. When he traveled for work, he used to put off the expense reports for months, then scramble to gather the $10,000 or so in expense receipts, send in all the reports, and get a huge check. Now, this isn't so bad until you realize that when he lost receipts, he couldn't submit them for reimbursement. Often times, he lost income for several weeks worth completely because they were outside the 90 day requirement.

We've purchased major appliances and equipment with significant rebates that we've never mailed in. Even though I've filled them in and had them ready to go.

I have a lot of reflection to do about this. Why do I so carefully guard the money that we have by budgeting and planning, but not work aggressively to put the money back in that should be coming?

Food for thought this morning.