Over six months have passed since Covid-19 reached the shores of the United States.
Thanks to frugality, I haven’t had to worry about it much.
I spend my days at home. I’ve no need to chase money at a public job; my savings combined with my royalties and investments have provided more than enough to live comfortably.
This would not be the case if I had allowed my expenses to keep pace with my income; by keeping my expenses as low as possible during the rich times I was easily able to save enough to live on even now.
The economy will become even worse as time moves on. While I no longer bother to keep a close eye on it, that much is obvious.
If you have not adjusted your expenditures downward, if you have not began to reduce your spending, I urge you to do so. Once the spiral starts, everyone will be affected.
I warn you now through the looking glass of experience: I have lived through challenging economic times in the past. Those who try to continue living as if money will always be plentiful tend to be the hardest hit when their incomes dry up.
I won’t bore you with a step by step tutorial; I’ve written several books on the subject should you realize the truth of my words.
As for me, I am taking this time to focus upon something other than the death and misery and terror around me. I’ve ceased using social media and rarely bother to even check the news.
My friends know to tell me if something important happens.
Have you began to reduce your expenses? Please share your stories in the comments below.
We have not actively reduced expenses but by just staying home all this time, entertainment and fuel expenses have dropped. Other than those two things we weren’t spending a lot before except for groceries and we’re still spending that money–we’re just spending dining out money on dining in instead.
I’m so glad you’re staying at home! This is pretty bad and getting worse. Please be safe.
We haven’t really deliberately reduced expenses, but staying at home more has decreased some expenses. I’m glad to hear things are going okay for you (since the last post was about flooding).
Hello, Joshua! Sorry about dropping off the radar: it’s been a bit much around here. I promise to post an update soon. Take care!
I think it is only natural to be spending less money during this time. Before the need for social distancing the only time that I went out with others were two groups at church. One was a group that met Saturday mornings for breakfast at a dinner down the street from the church, the other was a group that went out Thursday nights. I have also been spending a lot less time on social media, and my work at home job was not affected by the COVID-19 so my income remained steady but my spending went down. If anything it is given future passive income an increase as I have been using the time to work on getting my second book ready for publication and starting on my third book.
Hey, you are back! I was worried about you – since your last post showed the waters at the door. So, whatcha been up to – in detail? MIssed your posts!
Aww, thank you! It’s been a rather stressful year here. I reached the point where I had to step back for a bit. I promise I’ll update you soon. Sending hugs!
I’m glad your back too. I was wondering where you went.
Hello! I had to take a step back. Things became a bit overwhelming. I promise I’ll update you soon.
I had to take a step back in afraid. It’s been a rather stressful year. I promise I’ll post an update very soon. Take care!
Dear Annie,
Oh! So so so SO glad and relieved to hear from you!!! Please see my email.
Yes, we have reduced our spending too, and will continue to do so.
Lots of love and hang in there hun,
Carolina
I haven’t been checking my email daily but I promise I’ll check it in the morning.
And I’m still here. I just needed to take a step back from things. This has been an emotional year. I’ll update soon and will reply to your email tomorrow. Take care!
Annie, so glad you are back!!!! I too have scaled back to the most minimum of expenses, which allowed me to walk away from my job 2 weeks ago, and file for retirement. It is so wonderful to be able to stay at home and not be involved in anything unless I choose to be!! I will continue to watch for your posts, and re-read your books.
Congratulations on your retirement, Valerie! Right now I believe that the safest route for all of us is to stay at home as much as possible.
For the record, I’ve never been so thankful to be so frugal as I am today. If not for that, I’d be stuck in the thick of this.
I am very concerned about those suffering from job losses or having to work through this. Hopefully my experience can inspire them to become financially creative. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Far worse, economically at least unless I miss my guess.
Annie! Welcome back. I missed you. So glad to read that you are doing well. Yes, your lifestyle choices were made for times such as these. What some craziness, huh? I feel like I am in the Twilight Zone. I, too, stepped out of social media- too much toxicity. I have reduced my expenses and continually tweak them. I am not a shopper and I am an introvert so the stay-at-home guidelines suit me just fine. I am now preparing to retire and convert a minivan into a small camper and move into that. So, no more rent, electricity, internet bills to pay. Looking forward to the adventures ahead. I also need to start putting some money into investments like you did so I am going to go back and glean what I can from your previous posts about that. Stay safe and, again, welcome back!
Congratulations on your upcoming adventure! Please keep me posted.
I had to take a step back. It’s been a bit stressful lately. I promise I’ll update you soon. Take care!