No church this Sunday. I didn't even bother listening online.
Today I feel compelled to adopt a relative that lives overseas. I tend to want to make these sweeping life changes on Sundays. I'd say it's been ongoing for at least 5 years. It is on these idle Sundays that I applied to teach in Spain; applied for 200+ jobs in 2019; attempted to legally change my name to Sparkles McFairy (not that exactly, but still); signed up for half a dozen bank bonuses a couple weeks ago.
I did bake some resurrection cupcakes. And yesterday I baked bacon in the oven. So I am actively using my oven. I meant to make potato salad today, but lost interest after the cupcakes were done.
I got my first mortgage bill! That's what excites me these days. Paying bills. Well, routine mostly. I'm still trying to pin down a routine as a homeowner who now permanently works from home.
Right now, I'd like to find an indoor hobby - craft or exercise.
Dental hygiene is also an issue. I usually brush because I have to see people, scary but true. When I don't have to see people, my hands and feet can't be bothered to brush and floss.
Things (I'd like) to do this week
- Make potato salad
- Take trash to the dump
- Update mortgage information in BillPay/Explore Mortgage Servicer's Billpay site
More Free Money
A peer sent me an email yesterday that her stimulus check was about to post. She was notified via text from her bank.
It seemed a little Big Brother-y to me, but hey. I hadn't been following the news and had only heard this was a possibility, but now it's actually happening. Wow. As the young kids say, I am here for it!
I really am hopeful it helps those who need it most.
As a person who shelters in place by default, it feels like a nice cherry on top. Who can complain for getting money for doing nothing. Not I!
I checked to see how much I'd get, if any, and because of my period of unemployment in 2019, I actually qualify for the full amount. Strangely, with my 2018 pay, I would not have. I maintain that even though I make a little bit more in my current job, I'm bringing home less - due to actual hours worked and high insurance premiums.
I wonder when I'll receive the stimulus check because I've moved since filing my taxes and I didn't do direct deposit on my tax return. Additionally, only some of my mail seems to be forwarded for reasons unknown.
It seems these days, some of us on this side of the spectrum are awash with "found" money. I received $5k in life insurance from my dearly departed. I mentioned earlier this week, that my student loan payments have been suspended for 4 or 5 months (~$2500). Then the bank bonuses I'm currently churning, granted I won't see much of that for 6 months. And for 2 years, I'm going to get about $700/ mon from my dearly departed's pension. Blessed. Fortunate. Financial security, or some semblance of it, really is freeing. Really.
A couple people I know have mentioned getting mortgage payments suspended and leniency with other debt payments. The friend I mentioned above is one of those. She also received a promotion, her regular bonus and yearly increase at her job.
Then there's others I know who work retail and their jobs have been suspended. Another peer is a physician, and Kaiser is making them use their accrued vacation time followed by unpaid leave. A doctor! That is so unexpected to me.
My employer actually sent out an email that they were putting a hold on "merit" increases for now. This is mostly the 2-3% cost of living increases. So there's the pinch I've felt. But the stimulus check and suspended student loan payments more than make up for that!
Simple things affected by COVID
I have not been keeping up with the COVID news. I'm mostly just waiting until the stay at home order is lifted. Not much will really change for me; I hope to at least get a washer and dryer and maybe a fan installed. Lowe's will only deliver to the door now whereas in normal circumstances they'd install for free.
My cousin is getting married in May; I'm curious if the bans will be lifted by then. Actually, I'm not all that curious but other people are. It's not a wedding I was planning to attend.
I'd really like to get some volunteer work in and try to explore my community a bit before it gets too hot.
I really wanted to see the new Mulan movie that was supposed to premiere in March. Not sure if they ever launched it.
How has life been for you this Easter/COVID season??
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