I don’t know what the Hell is going on.
One moment the world was just the world that we always took for granted, you know?
And that was OK, even though it was messed up in so many ways.
And now? I am terrified of watching any cable news channel.
I feel like I need a shot of whisky to steel myself before turning on the TV.
Its anxiety inducing prepping myself to watch news conferences, medical experts, or business experts talk about the new realities of this cruel new world due to COVID-19.
Because of this cruel new world, we can’t touch each other, must wash our hands obsessively (not 3 months ago this would have been considered OCD), business is hurting, and people are losing their jobs.
I have been thinking about this often because I have a renewed resolve to save as much money as I can. Even if it means ordering less take-out from a service industry that is fast becoming obsolete in this cruel new world.
That industry is disappearing right before our eyes (It will only become viable again when this crisis abates). We are supposed to help each other in this dire time.
But I am not helping myself financially getting take-out when I have enough food stockpiled for 2 months.
I feel like I am being cruel.
But at the same time, the last thing I want to do is go outside right now. Or, unnecessarily interact with people.
God, I can’t believe I wrote that previous sentence.
I feel like a guileless character in a bad dystopian novel finding his way within the first 30 pages of text.
Save More Money or Indulge in Take-out? (In a COVID-19 Era)
You know what I want right now?
Pizza.
There is a local pizza chain that has a special menu option.
It features a large pizza, 8 buffalo wings, a large pasta dish, and a 2-liter soda for about $18.
I am working on some assignments right now and I want to make a delivery order. Just a week ago I ordered delivery from this place.
I want to make a delivery order right now.
It just isn’t a good idea for me.
Social distancing is the new normal. This concept is not going away any time soon.
I know the delivery person is hard-working and has bills to pay.
However, the delivery person must meet, interact, and inevitably touch hands with multiple people throughout the day in this new social distancing era.
I am terrified of the future.
It’s shameful I am only seriously resolving to save more money as a dystopian nightmare manifests itself in our reality.
I am lockdown. The local municipality has made it harder for people to go out after dusk to encourage them to stay in.
Additionally, local restaurants and eateries have minimized their menus and shortened delivery hours due to evaporating demand. (Like my favorite pizza place).
God, I want some pizza right now.
I want to feel normal.
But I must stay focused on saving money to deal with the months to come.
Saving Money in a Cruel New World
I feel bad for the local delivery person trying to make a living in a world that deemed their profession, “non-essential,”, but I don’t want to unnecessarily interact with people.
And I need to save money right now. I really don’t think people appreciate how tight money is going to get for working-class and unemployed people in the months to come.
Possibly because they are stunned, in denial, or entranced in fear.
Money is all I am thinking about right now.
It’s a cruel new world.
I need to save more money now, so that means I’ll be ordering less take-out until this COVID-19 nightmare is mitigated.
Read More
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UNLESS YOU CAN PAY FOR IT, A LOAN IS A 4-LETTER WORD FOR YOU
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.