Our younger son called last night while DIL and granddaughter were at figure skating classes. During the conversation he mentioned that in the process of transferring everything to his new laptop he discovered that he still had some bitcoins despite having thought he closed the accounts out years ago. Then it was the hunt to find the passwords lol. He got into one account and found it was worth $800 at the minute he looked at it. He was still searching for the other password and deciding what to do with the accounts but was quite pleased to find money he didn’t know he had.
That got me thinking about how our finances have changed during the pandemic. Some things are obviously the same for many people including no travel except driving within the state, much less eating out and substituting streaming services for movies and live theater. I have spent less on haircuts as we switched to a mobile hairdresser who charges much less than the salon I was going to. Clothing has been about the same as has home maintenance and gifts.
Of course right now our food, household supplies and beverages cost more than they did as does gasoline. Starting in January we will be charged more for Medicare and our supplemental insurance and I’m sure our homeowners insurance will go up as will our HOA but that always happens.
So really not a lot of bottom line spending change but our income increased what with stimulus checks and my first mandatory minimum withdrawal happening next month.
I realize we are extremely fortunate financially but what has really hit me recently is that I am finally feeling like someone hit the pause button on my life both because of the ongoing pandemic but also my desire to stay away from crowds as a result. Living in a very quite suburban environment rather than a vibrant city doesn’t help.
So I am both curious as to what you see looking back over the pandemic and how you are reclaiming a vibrant life at this point?
I am more introvert than extravert so really I did not find it too difficult to stay away from people. As long as I could go out and walk I am just fine (now that we are having winter storms that is changing).
ReplyDeleteHowever while spending for the most part stayed pretty level even with cost increase, I did notice that hobby spending and online spending increased slightly.
God bless.
It helps to be an introvert I would imagine.
DeleteWe have been very cautious--even with full vaccinations and boosters. Reentry into what used to be "normal living" will probably be very gradual. Our reticence is probably due to my ongoing health concerns. We have made the choice to continue to stay very involved with our immediate family, and those relationships bring us incredible joy. It will be interesting to see how this Covid journey ends...or doesn't end.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see how this plays out. I know people who are traveling overseas or cross country, going to the theater and other normal activities. I’m still reluctant but it 8s gett8ng to me.
DeleteI am being cautious and may never get to my pre pandemic social level. But I'm crafting in a group weekly, have a weekly lunch date, an back at the five dollar movies snd active in volunteer groups. I wear my mask when it's appropriate but I need to be out among the people a bit.
ReplyDeleteI’m attending a monthly group club meeting plus a book club, have lunch with friends about once a month and occasionally see family so much less. That is part of it but the other part is where we live I’m sure.
DeleteI am an introvert now living in a place where I'm around people daily. But everyone who works here and lives here is tested often and must have the vaccination. It does feel scary though. There is still risk but I don't think I could take another winter like last year living in total isolation and only going out every two weeks to the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteYou were liv8ng in quite a bit of isolation. What an adjustment for you.
DeleteI was surprised at how well I did during the lockdown. I did have a couple of Charlie Brown moments of Why?!! but aside from that I have done well. I was looking forward to a big Thanksgiving with family but various factors have shut that down and even that has not depressed me as much as I would have thought. I do think I will be ready to spring into action as soon, if ever, the world returns to normal.
ReplyDelete