It is those unexpected big expenses that are so stressful. You have my sympathy.

We held onto our tax refund last year. It got eaten away from those unexpected expenses. Just when I was thinking that I would spend the last of it on a home improvement, wham! Not a chance.

I do not know how much we will get back this year but I am not going to splurge on so much as a vase!

I never know what emergency will come up next.

again, you have my sympathy AND empathy.