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Miss Cellany
Mar. 20th, 2011 09:52 pmWent to a car show this past weekend. It was pretty cool seeing the new models that the manufacturers have coming out, but I don't plan on getting or trading a car anytime soon. As it is, the car show is my last RL social outing until further notice.
The biggest reason for cutting back socially is finances, among which are several variables:
- The federal budget for 2011. Congress has a stopgap measure in place until April 8, so I get paid until at least then. If they can't agree on a longer-term budget by then, I get furloughed until further notice.
- Gas prices. Currently at $4/gallon and rising due to the unrest in Libya. No telling how long that will go, although Gadhafi has vowed not to go down without a fight.
- Seriously thinking about leaving the Guard. It will depend on what happens with my next PT test. If I pass, I stay in. If not, I will more than likely get out. I'd been hoping to stay in until retirement but I don't think that's going to happen now. In fact, even last year I was already projecting that I would be leaving the Guard within a year. If that happens, then I would be paying additional vehicle taxes that I was exempt from while in the Guard.
The upshot of everything is this:
- If I go out, it'll be for food runs, work and volunteering at church, but otherwise I'll stay home.
- Supposedly I'll draw unemployment if I'm furloughed, but I don't know how that process will work or if I'll actually get paid. I'm planning for a worst-case scenario, which is not having any fund-age inflow and having to live off my savings. I'll be able to do it for a few months at the most, but not much longer than that.
- I read in a news article that it may be cheaper to eat out due to rising grocery prices. It's certainly more convenient to do so, especially if you live alone.
- Hopefully this financial question mark won't last. I think the biggest factor is if, when, and/or for how long the federal government shuts down. That in turn will determine if/when I can go out again and/or if I can make it to FC 2012. It's penciled in on my schedule for now, but I won't make a decision on the con until August at the earliest.
- There probably won't be any updates on the federal budget since Congress is supposed to be on break this week.
The biggest reason for cutting back socially is finances, among which are several variables:
- The federal budget for 2011. Congress has a stopgap measure in place until April 8, so I get paid until at least then. If they can't agree on a longer-term budget by then, I get furloughed until further notice.
- Gas prices. Currently at $4/gallon and rising due to the unrest in Libya. No telling how long that will go, although Gadhafi has vowed not to go down without a fight.
- Seriously thinking about leaving the Guard. It will depend on what happens with my next PT test. If I pass, I stay in. If not, I will more than likely get out. I'd been hoping to stay in until retirement but I don't think that's going to happen now. In fact, even last year I was already projecting that I would be leaving the Guard within a year. If that happens, then I would be paying additional vehicle taxes that I was exempt from while in the Guard.
The upshot of everything is this:
- If I go out, it'll be for food runs, work and volunteering at church, but otherwise I'll stay home.
- Supposedly I'll draw unemployment if I'm furloughed, but I don't know how that process will work or if I'll actually get paid. I'm planning for a worst-case scenario, which is not having any fund-age inflow and having to live off my savings. I'll be able to do it for a few months at the most, but not much longer than that.
- I read in a news article that it may be cheaper to eat out due to rising grocery prices. It's certainly more convenient to do so, especially if you live alone.
- Hopefully this financial question mark won't last. I think the biggest factor is if, when, and/or for how long the federal government shuts down. That in turn will determine if/when I can go out again and/or if I can make it to FC 2012. It's penciled in on my schedule for now, but I won't make a decision on the con until August at the earliest.
- There probably won't be any updates on the federal budget since Congress is supposed to be on break this week.
