I'm doing okay.

In the midst of Covid-19, I'm doing okay.

I'm concerned about my loved ones who may be vulnerable to the virus (and I'm not wild about the idea of getting it myself.  It sounds brutal!).  I am SO sick of the mask debates and conspiracy theories from both sides.  But, financially, I'm doing okay.

There are so many factors that play into this, and it's by God's grace.   Some of it is by decisions He has guided me to make and education that He has provided for me through Financial Peace University and other sources.  Some of it is completely beyond my control.  Between my time at home, the stories I have read from others, and the commentary I see on social media, I've had plenty of time to think about what has prepared me for this time and what can better prepare me for the future.


Beyond My Control:

• My full-time career being one that I can do online from home.  When I declared an education major in college, there was no way of seeing what was to come.  The high school class of 2004 had no idea what 2020 would hold.  I knew I was called to teaching, just as others know they are called to healthcare, business, hospitality, beauty, etc.  You can't predict what careers will be "safe" in a time of crisis, and even if you could, you can't try to force yourself into a career that you aren't meant to hold.  If you ask any teacher how they like teaching online, most of us will agree that we hate it, we miss our kids, we're worried about our kids, and we want to be in our classrooms again.  But, we are making this work in a time of crisis and we still have our jobs.
• Student loan interest and payments are suspended: With the loss of one of my side hustles, my budget has taken a small hit, but at least I don't have to sit and watch my debt start accumulating after years of hard work.  I was ahead on my payments and probably wouldn't have had a payment due for a long time, but the interest suspension was a federal government decision. 
• Having no dependents: As much as my heart still longs for marriage and a family, right now I have only myself to support- I'm not dealing with the loss of a spouse's income or benefits.  I'm not having to decide between childcare and getting work done, and I don't have to fear exposing children or a spouse to the virus if I choose to work a side hustle.  (The cat and the fish are still getting their needs met as usual!)
• Having roommates who are also "essential": My landlord has offered grace to anyone who is affected by Covid-19, but there are multiple bills split between the three of us.  Thankfully, one roommate is a healthcare worker and the other splits her time between work with animals and work that she is able to do remotely.  I don't know if it's realistic to say, "Only share a bill or rent/mortgage with someone if you can afford to cover their share"- that defeats the purpose of living with roommates.   What it does teach me is the importance of making sure that I, personally, am prepared for an emergency and I'm not the roommate who needs her bills covered.
• Not having severe underlying health conditions: I was diagnosed with asthma as a teenager but I have not had issues since college (I may have outgrown it, but I have good reason to believe it was a faulty diagnosis and other issues that caused breathing difficulty for me have been addressed).  

None of these things are in any way in my control.  There are so many others that have different circumstances than I do, and if a different crisis hits these points might not work in my favor anymore.  But, again, by God's grace, they are in place for me now. 

What IS in my control: 

• Having multiple sources of income: I am blessed to have my full-time paycheck and benefits.  I did loose some side-hustles- the tanning salon where I worked part-time had to close permanently after so much lost business, and the serving gig I had lined up for the summer never happened.  But I give plasma (always essential), I deliver groceries and set my own schedule to do so, and I still sell skincare (orders are placed online).  Summer school took place online, and I found a new part-time job at Hobby Lobby and am training right now.  Between all the sources of income I have, it's more likely that at least some will be unaffected or increased in a crisis. 
• Having "sinking funds" for anticipated expenses: In my budget, I include slots for annual or semi-annual expenses (vet bills, car and renter's insurance, etc.) and for expenses that are to be expected but cannot be planned (such as car repairs or healthcare expenses).  The cash is there if a greater, life-and-death emergency arises, but otherwise it's so I can be prepared and not have to scramble to cover bills that I "didn't realize were coming due" every few months, especially when some of my side-income might not be available.
• Having aggressively paid off as much debt as I could before this point: Five years ago, I would have had a monthly credit card bill, expensive items I had financed, and no savings.  I could have kept coasting- I made it every month, even if some unexpected expenses went back on the credit card...but I didn't want to stay in that cycle forever, knowing "something could happen" at any time.  I had no idea that 2020 would bring a global pandemic that would lock down the world, but starting this journey four years earlier has certainly taken a lot of weight off my shoulders now.

So, in the midst of a pandemic, in the review-mirror of a complete shut-down, I'm doing all right.  I'm so thankful that, years ago, God brought me to the resources I needed to get my finances in order and be prepared for the unexpected.