Brother, can you spare a dime?

We're bleeding cash. Is this normal before leaving for a post? I had to scrap our tickets back to Seattle/Spokane, at a loss of about 2K.  See, I was actually worried about buying tickets and then not being able to use them if we got posted early, so I had Mitch ask the powers that be. They said, "buy your tickets, you're not going anywhere yet." I bought non-refundable tickets. The next day, 'they' said, "Hey, how does Brasilia sound? And how soon can you leave?" Then I had to buy new tickets because it was cheaper to do that than to use the credit from the other tickets. Also, more luggage, clothes, shoes, cinnamon ice breakers, sunblock, shampoo, sheets for everybody, slipcovers for hideous state-owned Drexel couches, laundry soap (one kid is allergic to everything), drugs, and this stuff:

School uniforms. Which I had to buy at four different stores because I have two normal-sized children and two verrrrry thin children. Olivia and Grace tried on their skorts and polo shirts last night. Olivia loved hers. Grace stared at herself in the mirror for a long time, sighed, and said, "I don't even think I can jazz these up." 

The girls' birthday is coming up and they want sewing machines, but all I can think of is how much weight that will add to our shipping allowance. That's right. Now I think in terms of pounds when it comes to gifts. Thanks, Foreign Service! They will also accept personal tvs, ipod touches, Barbie Mansions, turtles, or another dog. I'm thinking I might get them each a case of paper towels.

Any tips on what I might be forgetting?