First of all, thanks for the comments about my goal!

About 95% of my emergency savings is in 3 places - an ING account, in electronic US savings bonds at Treasury Direct (1.5 yrs of buying a month at a time), and in 3 DRPs - stocks. I count them because I'm willing to sell the stock if need be, and they are stable, blue chip stocks bought with my post tax dollars, different than my 403B. The other 5% is in my bank savings and checking account.

One of the things sister and I talked about last night came into play this morning. Sister still had in her possession an offer on the same parcel from that same buyer had made to dad a year ago for a bit higher price. Remember, no one threw anything away. The offer was not radically higher, but a worth-your-while mentioning it higher.

Sister asked me what I should do, so I coached her on the innocent letter technique. She put a voicemail on the executor's phone, and then faxed a copy of that old offer to the executor with a note that said, "Gee, I found this in the house when I was cleaning. Why was the buyer willing to pay this price to dad last year? What has changed? (Blink, blink.)

She also mentioned that neither one of us was in a rush. True on my end, but I wonder how true it really is on hers.

I got an email this morning from sister that the executors and sister's lawyer were very interested in that offer, and are going to make a counter offer based on it. The innocent, non-defensive letter (fax) strikes again! It saves everyone's face and the tone lets them help you out.

Spending log - $1.65 coffee + $7.62 lunch (had the lamb curry as a splurge)
Saving log - $5.00 tip box