Since becoming unemployed in June (owners of company where I worked as an office manager sold the company, new owner put his wife in my job), and discovering that nobody really wants to hire a 61 year old woman, no matter how qualified, I have scaled back/eliminated many of the things that used to be little luxuries in my world.
I have 10 months to go before I'm 62 and could start drawing Social Security. Between unemployment and savings I can get by (sort of) until that time. My Social Security amount won't be any great shakes either. But I won't starve.
I'm still looking like crazy for a job, but have mapped out the worst case scenario in my head.
Oh and thank God (or rather thank Obama and the Democrats) for VA healthcare. As a 70s era veteran I qualify for all except dental and vision with minimal copays.
Follow me over the fold for the things that I used to take for granted and now think of as great luxuries.
New Car:
12 year old rustbucket still runs, but nickels and dimes me to death. Holding my breath wondering how long it will hold out. Do spare no expense for regular maintenance.
New computer:
Old slow POC which the sound went out on just today. Sigh.
New glasses:
I am getting by with the ones I have, but need an eye exam and new ones. My Dad, bless his heart, has offered to help with the cost. I really loathe shopping at Walmart, well because Walmart, but that's by far the cheapest place to get an eye exam and new glasses.
Dental care:
this I pay for even though I can't afford it.
Cable TV:
I had a bundling package for cable, phone and internet. I need phone and internet for job hunting purposes, although worst case, I could use internet at the library. Not quite that far down yet. When the contract ran out, I renegotiated the price with a very nice young man at Comcast, was going to forgo cable altogether but he gave me an excellent deal on all three, which I guess is normally only offered to new customers. He said he would offer me that because I was one of the few people that called him that day who wasn't mean to him. How much of that is BS I don't know. But he cut my bill by 2/3 and we did have a very nice conversation.
Smart phone:
This definitely has to go. As soon as the contract runs out in November.
Vet visits for lovely Rosebuddear:
She is a very old kitty by now (14) and fortunately still seems to be in good health. Except for arthritis which makes her limp but seems to be alleviated by a little catnip at times (grown for free in my sister's garden). Since she is a totally indoor kitty I have felt ok about not getting her all the shots, etc. But it still bothers me. One thing I will NOT stint on - if the time comes (knock on wood, not yet) when I must put her down, I will pay extra to have someone come out to my place and do it - I will not make her last hours a terrifying misery in a cat carrier in a vet's waiting room.
Booze/cigarettes:
Meh. Who needs that crap anyway. Better off without it. Although I do miss having the occasional glass of wine.
Craft supplies:
Fortunately I have enough of those stockpiled to last me roughly forever haha.
Restaurant meals:
Used to be a tradition for me and my sister to take each other to lunch at Crab Shack, which we both love, on our birthdays. No more. By mutual agreement.
Books:
The public library is a treasure. Nuff said.
Birthday/Christmas presents:
Trying to get creative about this one. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Every time I think I'm bad off, though I think, well you have warm clothes, enough food, a trailer that's paid for, lovely Rosebuddear, people who love you. It could be far far worse.
Thanks for listening my friends.