Bob...I sympathise. Very difficult to stretch those few dollars to cover everything. Doing all your own cooking, cooking from scratch and avoiding readymade freezer food entrees all help as food is such a big part of monthly expense.

Sorry to hear your L hand is messed up. Didn't you just have surgery? Is there hope that it will improve? Keep us posted as to how you are doing. If guitars are your passion, it must be difficult to not be able to play.