When I Lost $2,550—and Didn’t Panic
Remember the last time you were folding laundry and found a dollar—or maybe even five—in your pocket? Remember that little rush of excitement?
Now think back: can you remember the last time you lost a dollar or five? You might’ve been annoyed for a moment, but chances are you shrugged it off pretty quickly.
But what if you lost $1,000… or even $2,000?
Most of us wouldn’t forget that moment. It would sting—badly.
I know, because I lost $2,550.
Let me explain how it happened—and why I’m okay with it.
I had to move out of my current apartment and was on a tight timeline. Ideally, I wanted a two-bedroom, but I couldn’t find one in time. Pressed for options, I settled on a one-bedroom unit. Not my favorite, but it would do.
Here’s how the lease went:
They asked for a $1,000 deposit
We agreed to $800 instead, refundable after the lease
The lease would start on the 15th of the month, though I had to pay the full month’s rent upfront
The following month would be prorated
I’d get the keys on the 15th
With the paperwork signed and the deposit and rent paid, my apartment hunt was officially over—or so I thought.
But a few days later, just browsing out of habit, I stumbled across a two-bedroom apartment. And get this: it was cheaper than the one-bedroom I had already signed for.
So I asked the landlord if there was any way out of the lease.
Their response? A hard and fast “No.”
I pointed out I hadn’t even taken possession of the keys. Their response didn’t change. “If you want out, you need to pay two months’ rent.”
I gave it some thought.
Then I emailed the property manager and asked, “If you keep both the deposit and the first month’s rent I’ve already paid—a total of $2,550—can we call it even?”
Their reply was faster than The Flash: “Yes.”
And I said… okay.
Here’s the thing: if I had needed that $2,550, my decision would have been very different. I would’ve had no choice but to move in—even though I didn’t want to. Even though a better, cheaper place was available.
But because I had financial breathing room, I was able to make a decision based on peace of mind, not panic. And that made all the difference.
Yes, I’d love to have that $2,550 back. Who wouldn’t? But it didn’t derail my life. It didn’t mess up my budget. And most importantly, it didn’t lock me into a year-long situation that I didn’t want to be in.
This is why margin matters.
When you plan ahead, manage your money with intention, and build flexibility into your finances, you can take a hit—and keep moving forward.
Want to create more financial margin in your life?
Let’s work together.
As a financial coach, I can help you:
✅ Get clear on where your money is going
✅ Build a realistic plan that works for you
✅ Create margin so unexpected moments don’t become financial crises
Let’s get started.
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