Mel’s story...
Lockdown and not being able to spend money even if I wanted to, has really been an eye-opener on how much I usually spend without thinking about it!
We both work, my other half is on a full-time salary, and I am self-employed.
I was lucky to qualify for the Government wage subsidy scheme, and my partner’s employers have decided to pay him his usual full amount for the four weeks! I am so aware of how very fortunate we are.
We operate separate bank accounts, he pays the major bills, house, insurances, power, internet and Netflix etc, while I pay for food, clothing, outings, things for the house, children's school and activities. We each pay for our own car expenses and work lunches, and of course our own spending money.
I'm particularly noticing I have so much fewer outgoings during this lockdown period. There's no petrol (not going anywhere!) No lunches or takeaways, after school icecream treats/bribes.
No online purchase deliveries to look forward to (or pay for!)
We don't have any hire purchases or car loans etc, so apart from our own personal credit cards (the money comes out, money goes in) to pay down, we currently only have absolute essential costs coming out.
My business doesn't owe any money, so while I'm making $0 the entire lockdown period, at least I'm not going backwards.
The only expense I need to worry about right now is groceries.
My partner is paying those major expenses as per the norm during this period.
This experience is sobering, I must usually waste so much money without even noticing!
It's shown me what really matters, and that's not new home decor, clothing, or takeaways! (Though I could murder a Big Mac right now 😜). I've learned that we really don't need a lot of what we usually buy.
Our lifestyle has crept up over the years, it's hard to believe I used to survive on about a quarter of what we do now, back when I was a young solo Mumma. A timely reminder I think!
If I'm very careful and we don't have to extend Level 4 Lockdown too much longer than the planned four weeks, I should be able to pay my credit card down to $0 and put a few thousand in my savings (which hasn't had many deposits put into it since Christmas).
I really want to try harder to reign in my non-essential spending once lockdown is over and I'm back to earning again.
Mel