If it's only money...

Money – it’s a weird thing. Most people don’t like to talk about how much they earn and how much they have and we all like to daydream about how much we want. One of the big issues I am working with right now is money. I’m going to talk about it because I think it’s important to be honest with myself about where I am at because one, the money I had coming in is now stopped and with the amount of free time I have I need to find fun and affordable ways to see my friends, entertain myself, and keep myself busy.

Unemployment. First things first, anyone who thinks that someone is just “milking it” and living off unemployment has never received any. I receive the maximum allowed in my state and I will tell you that while not a paltry sum, it is hardly anything to get rich off of – or maybe even survive off of if I had children or an expensive dog. With rent or a mortgage payment, a car payment, groceries and other financial obligations unemployment does not go far at all.

I know that a lot of people forego health insurance during unemployment. I am NOT one of those people. According to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2003, the average out of pocket expenditure for an emergency room visit was $560. That’s over a week’s worth of unemployment compensation! Considering COBRA is about $200/month for me right now, it’s worth the money – here’s why. The last time I switched jobs I took COBRA from my previous employer for the three months my new job required I wait before they’d cover me. In those three months, I tripped over a pair of shoes I left on the floor of my room and then hit my head on the footboard of my bed giving me a concussion and a cut that needed stitches. Two weeks later I had a car accident which seconded the concussion. A month and a half after that I had another emergency room visit after a freak rollerblading accident (those old women were out to get me!), and finally an emergency CAT scan after my doctor feared I had done permanent damage from previously mentioned two concussions. OK I know what you are saying and unfortunately I am not kidding. I am a clumsy person and as such I recognize the need to take reasonable precautions which for me means I will buy less of anything to keep my health insurance up to date. Fortunately for me, as part of my separation from my job my employer is paying ½ the cost of the COBRA. Go them and go me!

With unemployment, I am able to continue putting in my same share of money to K's (my husband's) and my household account from which we pay our rent, groceries, car payment, cell phones, etc which because I feel a bit shaky at times about having no job (I know it's stupid and ridiculous) but meeting my obligations financially helps me feel really good about myself. I also need to worry about retirement and put some money towards that no matter how small. I sometimes hate thinking about the long run and planning for the future. Sometimes there is really something to be said for acting like the grasshopper instead of the ant – oh wait I did that most of my life already. Once I’ve done all this I have a bit of money to play with. So what do you do for fun when you have all the time in the world and fixed income (again cue retired people in my life who are living this on a daily basis and loving it).

I want to see my friends and family and enjoy the (still cloudy late spring) weather. What’s fun – happy hour is fun, seeing my friends is fun, working out is fun, going out is fun – I think though I need to focus on ways to combine the things I like to do that are free with my friends and family to “do it all” on less money. If you stay home alone and mope you’ll be lonely and unhappy and again there is enjoyment to be had in this freedom. Just need to find ways to enjoy it for under $20.

I found a great shuffleboard game at The Zoo on Eastlake, for $3/hour and $4/beer you can have a heck of a lot of fun for hours with you friends for cheap – not too shabby. Happy Hours work well too because you can meet up with friends and for $15/each or so have a few bites to eat, a good drinks and lots of catching up. I am avoiding big price tag events like shows, non-matinee movies and events like that. In general the rule is, if the price tag is over $20 then its out.

So to my friends and fam, you’ll likely be getting emails and calls from me to join the new Monday evening hiking club where we’ll do a new hike each Monday evening (it doesn’t get dark until 9:00 after all), go for walks, happy hours for those not inclined to walk/hike, and maybe a BBQ or two. I won’t be up for a trip to Vegas yet but I got an email from a recruiter this morning. The job listing was awesome and read something like “if you’re a fun, hard-working person who loves Business Development then send us your resume. If you’re not and you can still send us your resume we won’t call you.” Keep your fingers crossed – I’ll keep you posted.
Until then off to the gym – it’s free!