About four months ago, I decided that I wanted to learn how to play the viola again. A friend of mine offered to give me free lessons, but I needed to find my own viola.

I decided to go to a music store just to look around and price the instrument. One hour later, I walked out with a $1,000 viola for $40 monthly payments (stupid idea #1).

Two weeks later at dance practice, I hurt my left shoulder doing a lift (stupid idea #2). I decided not to return the viola because I assumed my shoulder would heal quickly, even though I couldn't lift anything heavier than two pounds.

Three months later, I am going to physical therapy once a week, massage therapy twice a week, and starting to prepare for surgery. The $1,000 viola has been played twice and has been collecting lots of dust. I renegotiated my contract with the music company and will return the viola in next week, but I still have to pay four remaining months of stupid tax! As for the shoulder, that's going to take several more months of physical therapy after surgery to the tune of $1,500+ in stupid tax medical bills.

Lessons learned:

1. Never go into a store just to "look around."
2. Never do dance lifts with a partner you don't trust.
3. Emergency funds aren't just nice; they are a necessity!

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