Wow, what a difference a week makes. It seems glaringly obvious for all of us in the present, but for those reading far off in the future, Michigan (and most of the US) is fully enmeshed in the COVID-19 public health crisis right now. Much of the economy and society has essentially closed down in order to keep the virus from spreading. It is high anxiety time with finances, our health, social communities, and academic methods. The college I work for is shifting to online coursework, as well as online services.
I’d like to continue this accountability challenge for myself, but the narrative will have to shift, as I am now working from home, and have been laid off from the part-time bartending job that I just started. A large amount of people have lost their whole source of income. It is survival mode for many. The enthusiasm about bargains, staying busy at home, and finding low cost activities just doesn’t have the same appeal when that’s all we can do to stay afloat.
In the spirit of accountability, here’s what I spent:
$30 on drinks and food for the last hoorah on Thursday with the bowling team. I’m embarrassed to share that we were in such crowded spaces, given the rate of cases now. But, in everyone’s defense, there were no statewide mandates yet and we all kept good hygiene. That night I felt very smug knowing how frugal I was considering what I could have spent in previous nights out, but it just doesn’t seem like much to brag about anymore. Its been a week with no symptoms so let’s chock this up to luck and clean hands.
2 classpass credits (~$4). Again, all the guidelines at the time were followed and class sizes were limited / spread out from one another. Now all studios are closed.
$55 on my share of groceries.
$12 on my share of toiletries. We legitimately needed household paper products, and meant to go out the week before, yet now people are clearing the shelves out of fear and greed.
Ugh. Change gears…
Here are some things I’ve done so far to make this present state less stressful!
- Online Workout Classes
- Tonight a friend and I are trying out “Country Heat” over FaceTime; hats and boots optional…
- Even More Home Cooking!!
- Using up leftovers – NO WASTE ALLOWED!
- Using up pantry items – this week I utilized some very old (but still good) applesauce cups to add chewy-sweetness to a baked granola bar.
- Donate Blood!
- You can only donate every eight weeks, but if you’re healthy now, this is the time to do it. The appointment was really easy, they screen you before you can even enter the room so everyone is healthy and keeping their distance.
- Walks with Simon and my dog twice daily, ranging from 20 – 45 minutes, and trying to bring an extra garbage bag for trash on the street.
- Daily check-in with coworkers and family.
- Using social media for good! Reaching out to friends that I don’t talk to as much, and sharing happy memes and experiences.
- Readjusted some of my automated payments to give myself a cushion. I’d rather carry a small balance for a little while than over draw my bank account or not be able to pay my mortgage.