Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “rev.” Use “rev” or find a word that contains it.
I’m sorry to write a bummer post but my reversal of fortune has been on my mind a lot lately and that’s what jumped into my head. I even feel bad writing it because I’m very secure compared to a lot of people. So many are way worse off than me, I feel guilty complaining. But its my blog and I’ll cry if I want to.
A year ago I was doing better than I had ever done before. I was debt-free and starting to save money for the first time ever. Maybe go on a vacation or buy a new woodstove. A year ago I was bragging that I was saving so much money staying home in the pandemic. I guess the universe heard me and decided that wasn’t going to happen.
In February, during total lockdown and an arctic cold snap, my furnace broke down. I was really fortunate to have a credit line open from when I bought my car. Along with banking on-line, I was able to buy a new furnace and put it on my credit line without even leaving the house. For that I am so grateful!
I had been putting off going to the dentist before the pandemic so I was way behind when I finally got there. $1000. Yep. that’s what it cost me. And there were no fancy crowns, I’m talking extraction and fillings.
In the spring my lawn mower broke down. It was a very old rider mower and I could not afford to buy another rider. But my lawn is quite big so I had to choose between affording it and buying one big enough to do the job. I bought an $800 mower and don’t do it all in one day.
That’s about where the reversal took place and I started juggling monthly payments. I had to buy firewood for the year at the same time my propane tanks needed filling. And, of course, propane has gone way up along with everything else. The good part is that all my heat is paid for until I need propane again. I’m only using my furnace in the morning then get the woodstove going. It might last until February if it doesn’t get too cold.
Although its been a huge disappointment at least its not fear. If I wasn’t receiving Old Age Pension I would be up Shit Creek without a paddle. Working at that grocery store would not cover my payments right now. I can see why so many seniors have to get a part time job. I can see how young people go deeper and deeper into debt making minimum payments. Been there, done that. I’m staying tight because I pay down as much as I possibly can. I’m not digging a deeper whole.
I’m going back into shut-down mode, taking a lesson from the pandemic. If I don’t go anywhere, I don’t spend money or use any gas. I won’t be as generous at Christmas. I didn’t buy a tree but that wasn’t just the expense. Its all this “hurry up and buy stuff because there’s going to be a shortage!!” bullshit. I have a large green enamel tomato cage I turned upside down and made a tree with boughs and garlands and decorated it. Good enough! I didn’t spend any money going to SuperStore to get it where I would have spend a whole bunch more.
It nice to have this place to air my grievances. Hey! A good year to celebrate Festivus!!
https://lindaghill.com/2021/12/03/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-4-2021/
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