It seems strange to me that in this uncertain time, unemployment has bacome somewhat of a blessing. During the last 6-7 years, my husband has been working ever increasing hours and our expenses and spending has gone right up with it. Now that we are living on unemployment at a mere $455 a week, we are learning a great deal about our life.
We have learned that we can live on a lot less. We have been spending money on stupid stuff at the grocery store, eating out, driving to the city just for something to do, and buying small trinkets online. Now that we have been forced to live on less, these 'extra' things don't matter much. We certainly haven't been goin hungry, but we seem to be spending half as much at the grocery store as we used to. Maybe because we don't need all the fancy/easy lunch stuff for my hubby to take. Maybe because we eat what is in the house first, instead of running to the store 3 times a week before cooking dinner. Maybe we have just cut out the extras at the grocery, any way you slice it, we are spending less and loving it.
We have been spending more time at home. Red box is a buck and my daughter has plenty of friends to entertain her. We don't need to take a drive for no reason. That has been a nice change for me. Sometime I get sick of getting all dolled up on the weekend to drive 2 hours and go to McDonalds. Next time we go to the city, I want firm plans of fun (inexpensive) things to do, not just time killers.
I have also learned that I love my husband. The first couple weeks he was unemployed were very scarey. I think we both were in a state of panic. We are 7 weeks in, I think, and my husband is turning back into his old self. He is lighter! When we met he was the guy that would sing and do a little jig and be the funny guy. Over time that funny guy has been replaced with a tense, controlled guy. It is nice to see he is easing up a bit. I honestly didn't realize that all that work was taking such a tole on him emotionally. I think he got all wrapped up in providing for his family and being a 'rock' that he forgot that our family needs a fun, light hearted hero too.
Shopping for junk has become non existent. No more trips to DI or the Dollar Store for me and my daughter to waste money. We just use what we have and make the best of it. I do have to say, that is might be a good thing we spent money on things like craft supplies, because now we have all we will ever need.
I have finally been able to go to work. After searching for a year, the very day my husband lost his job I got hired. I work for very little money, but it is just enough for that extra padding we need. Besiides I like working. I like having somewhere to go and some reason to get out of bed and fix myself up. I like having a few dollars that I have earned. I like that I have something else to think about besides obsessing about my kid and hubby. I feel better when I work and I am thankful for the opportunity to work. I will be glad next week when I work 26 hours instead of the 36 I am working this week. Although, Donny has picked up the slack at home, I still feel I need to do more. Yesterday, he did laundry so Kristin could have clean clothes for picture day, I still had to fold and put away, but I was grateful he was willing to do that. This weekend I am planning on getting the laundry caught up and cleaning both bathrooms and dust.
Life is on ongoing stream of small adjustments. When these big things come along, it is a reminder that life is change and I need to be more flexible and more grateful!!
No comments:
Post a Comment