Are you better off than you were four years ago?

[chowmama]

37. Oh, hell, yeah!

Due to Covid, DH had to quit his job driving Uber; it was just too risky, given his health conditions and other people's general dickishness. So, loss of income there. He's been retired since.

There was a point we weren't sure that veterinary personnel were going to be classified 'essential'. I could have been out of a job, too. We were classified essential, and I still have a letterhead form my bosses gave us that was essentially a 'Permit to Travel to Work' - we weren't sure how closely such things were going to be enforced. I never had to use it.

Grocery trips were supposed to be once weekly and then find not much on the shelves. I had a list of what I needed, a second list of 'things to look to see if they're back', and also take advantage of anything I could actually get today and then either use or store. Meals were...interesting. Finances were also...interesting. We managed, but if I hadn't been allowed to work, if I'd had less food and supplies on hand (I have a pressure canner and a chest freezer and I've never been afraid to use them), I really don't know what we would have done.

Constant concern about the election, knowing that another Trump term would be the final nail in the coffin. Watching the economy tank. Wondering how many more would die. Hearing crazy people spout crazy word-vomit about science (which I know a little about) and realize that arguing with them could get me hurt or killed. Running into people who literally didn't care if I lived or died, but wanted my business. There are places I'll never go back to and people I'll never deal with again, even now that it's over. That's a deal breaker. You sons of bitches, you're never seeing my money again. I'll give it to people I actually like, instead.