Well, the house is still on the market - the initial contract fell through. Inventory is low, but things aren't moving. Until it sells, we remain cash poor and paycheck to paycheck living. We did turn down a ridiculous lowball offer when four of us were in the throes of Covid. So for now its day by day and we hope for an offer.
The residual effects of Covid for me are extreme fatigue and no taste or smell yet. I have returned to subbing - but only for 1/2 days last week and this week I'm really feeling just too tired. I am so happy that my kids came through it easier, maybe this is where youth is definitely on your side. Yet another family friend passed away Sunday of Covid. Again, can't even really talk about it to process it. It's not denial, just self-preservation. And then there is the reality of life with SADD.
I was going to participate in Frugalwoods Uber Frugal Month Challenges, but decided just to adopt a low-spend month. I budgeted $500 for gas/groceries/everything else (all spending outside of mortgage and fixed bills) for the first half of the month. I'm happy to say that we only spent $350. The remainder I used to pay for College Student #2's books for the upcoming semester. We also found out that the Pell Grant for College Student #1 was $3,100 rather than $700, that was a welcomed surprise.
We remain waiting for our Stimulus Payment #2 because we were part of the Tax Act-IRS fiasco. It will be a nice addition when it arrives, supposedly to be deposited 2/1 or shortly thereafter.
Goals for remainder of month: Maintain a spending threshold of $350 for the balance of the month for all discretionary spending.
January 20th, 2021 at 01:16 pm 1611148605
January 20th, 2021 at 10:29 pm 1611181781
January 24th, 2021 at 06:40 pm 1611513607
Maybe things will look up as far as the house sale.
Take good care of yourself while you work on spending less.