How You're Handling Finances During This Time

[iced]

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@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:

New question for some of you that are seeing this excess of money and quality of life improvement, what happens when everything goes back to the way it was? Are you going to be able to? I have a feeling, many employees are going to start making work from home a bigger part of their business, but some will go back to business as usual.

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I've been a full-time remote/work-from-home employee of my company for around 5 years now, so the main changes for me will be three-fold:

1. I can walk out to lunch during the day instead of doing takeout and eating back at home.

2. Kid goes back to daycare so I get my days to myself again. 

3. I'll be able to start traveling to offices and conferences again. It's nice to get out of the condo to visit different places around the world.

If anything, I'm worried things won't go back to the way it was before, primarily because of reason 3.

I've joked with some of my colleagues who are new to the WFH game about welcoming them to my world and how they're building an appreciation for the pros and cons of that lifestyle.

[Brian_Earl_Spilner]

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@iced wrote:

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@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:

New question for some of you that are seeing this excess of money and quality of life improvement, what happens when everything goes back to the way it was? Are you going to be able to? I have a feeling, many employees are going to start making work from home a bigger part of their business, but some will go back to business as usual.

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I've been a full-time remote/work-from-home employee of my company for around 5 years now, so the main changes for me will be three-fold:

1. I can walk out to lunch during the day instead of doing takeout and eating back at home.

2. Kid goes back to daycare so I get my days to myself again. 

3. I'll be able to start traveling to offices and conferences again. It's nice to get out of the condo to visit different places around the world.

If anything, I'm worried things won't go back to the way it was before, primarily because of reason 3.

I've joked with some of my colleagues who are new to the WFH game about welcoming them to my world and how they're building an appreciation for the pros and cons of that lifestyle.

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That's a good point and something the airlines are worried about. If businesses are finding it more efficient and cost effective to do teleconferencing, business travel could be permanently resuced. By some businesses 

[Anonymous]

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Not much has changed. I paid off my DCU card early just to get rid of the 30% utilization but that was only $300. Everything else is still being paid as scheduled. I owe Citi 4 more payments (0% doesn't expire until December) and Capital One 3 more payments (0% expires in October) before I am back to PIF so I am just sticking with that schedule. Spending a bit more on dry storage items. My grocery budget will probably double with my plans to turn my second closet into a pantry. I don't want to be caught unprepared again. 

Took my stimulus today and put $600 to max out DCU's $1K at 6.17%, put $100 in AOD, $100 in Langley, $300 in Alliant, and left $100 in 1stBank for now. If US Bank ever gets my name fixed the last $100 is going in there. Going to put $400 in my savings accounts next month to cap my $2K limit. Since Medicaid eligibility won't be impacted by the stimulus payments for a year, I feel safe putting $2K in the bank while the limit should be $3200. 

Everything else is the same since I already had been spending my life in my room long before this happened. 

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YOU GOT YOUR STIMULUS!!

Kudos @Anonymous . I'm still waiting. Well at least this tells me that for SS ppl who havent received it yet, it's right around the corner. Was it DD?

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@CreditInspired I got a check in the mail. I'm under $20K so they did it quick. SS recipients are supposed to go out early May (they have a cut off of 5/4 for people to add kids on the simple filing form so probably by the 11th). I hope the IRS doesn't screw up and have the Treasury do DD for everyone who gets SS or I will have a second stimulus payment and have to return it. 

[M_Smart007]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Not much has changed. I paid off my DCU card early just to get rid of the 30% utilization but that was only $300. Everything else is still being paid as scheduled. I owe Citi 4 more payments (0% doesn't expire until December) and Capital One 3 more payments (0% expires in October) before I am back to PIF so I am just sticking with that schedule. Spending a bit more on dry storage items. My grocery budget will probably double with my plans to turn my second closet into a pantry. I don't want to be caught unprepared again. 

Took my stimulus today and put $600 to max out DCU's $1K at 6.17%, put $100 in AOD, $100 in Langley, $300 in Alliant, and left $100 in 1stBank for now. If US Bank ever gets my name fixed the last $100 is going in there. Going to put $400 in my savings accounts next month to cap my $2K limit. Since Medicaid eligibility won't be impacted by the stimulus payments for a year, I feel safe putting $2K in the bank while the limit should be $3200. 

Everything else is the same since I already had been spending my life in my room long before this happened. 

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YOU GOT YOUR STIMULUS!!

Kudos @Anonymous . I'm still waiting. Well at least this tells me that for SS ppl who havent received it yet, it's right around the corner. Was it DD?

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@CreditInspired I got a check in the mail. I'm under $20K so they did it quick. SS recipients are supposed to go out early May (they have a cut off of 5/4 for people to add kids on the simple filing form so probably by the 11th). I hope the IRS doesn't screw up and have the Treasury do DD for everyone who gets SS or I will have a second stimulus payment and have to return it. 

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Are you sure ,  that you don't want to take a small loan from the IRS?

[Anonymous]

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@M_Smart007 wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Not much has changed. I paid off my DCU card early just to get rid of the 30% utilization but that was only $300. Everything else is still being paid as scheduled. I owe Citi 4 more payments (0% doesn't expire until December) and Capital One 3 more payments (0% expires in October) before I am back to PIF so I am just sticking with that schedule. Spending a bit more on dry storage items. My grocery budget will probably double with my plans to turn my second closet into a pantry. I don't want to be caught unprepared again. 

Took my stimulus today and put $600 to max out DCU's $1K at 6.17%, put $100 in AOD, $100 in Langley, $300 in Alliant, and left $100 in 1stBank for now. If US Bank ever gets my name fixed the last $100 is going in there. Going to put $400 in my savings accounts next month to cap my $2K limit. Since Medicaid eligibility won't be impacted by the stimulus payments for a year, I feel safe putting $2K in the bank while the limit should be $3200. 

Everything else is the same since I already had been spending my life in my room long before this happened. 

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YOU GOT YOUR STIMULUS!!

Kudos @Anonymous . I'm still waiting. Well at least this tells me that for SS ppl who havent received it yet, it's right around the corner. Was it DD?

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@CreditInspired I got a check in the mail. I'm under $20K so they did it quick. SS recipients are supposed to go out early May (they have a cut off of 5/4 for people to add kids on the simple filing form so probably by the 11th). I hope the IRS doesn't screw up and have the Treasury do DD for everyone who gets SS or I will have a second stimulus payment and have to return it. 

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Are you sure ,  that you don't want to take a small loan from the IRS?

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With penalties and crap? No thank you!

[ChargedUp]

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@Brian_Earl_Spilner wrote:

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@ChargedUp wrote:

Still sitting on cash over here, but it's looking like I'll be able to take a skeleton crew back to work on 5/4 to finish off a project that has about 6 weeks left of it. I'm hoping things at least begin opening here in CA by the end of that 6 weeks. So far I've managed to keep card balances pretty low and once things do start opening up I'll begin dumping the cash to PIF everyone. I haven't asked for any special treatment from my lenders, as I'd rather pay a little interest for a couple months versus making them nervous and appearing more of a liability. (Nothing against those who have had to make these types of arangements, but I just don't feel like I'm at the point of it being prudent.)

At the same time, I've been trying to shop small as much as possible. In the process I've found some amazing restaurants around town!

The JG Wentworth types are in full force trying to get me to sell my annuity payments...  Ummm NO!

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But, it's your money, and you need it now!

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If they were to offer something that coincided with a minimal interest loan, I might be persuaded (After all, they'd get the payment straight from the insurance company... The risk is nill.) Besides, guaranteed income at these times is coming in quite handy.

[ChargedUp]

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@redpat wrote:

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

I'm enjoying working from home, saves over an hour a day worth of commuting time and between not putting gas in the car and not eating lunches out, I'm saving a few bucks.  Picked up 8 hours a week of OT out of sheer boredom and my bride is picking up shifts as well...nowhere else to be, might as well work.

Paid off most CCs except a couple that have 0% or really low interest "special financing".   Got a low rate personal loan from PNC to pay for the pool resurfacing at our house in FL, it's set for 60 months but we'll accelerate payments.  

Increased my 401k contributions and HSA contributions by 1%, now I am maxed out on 401k and close to maxed out on HSA.  Aside from getting cabin fever from not going anywhere but Kroger occasionally, all is well.

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Yes, you dont really comprehend this until you experience it. I have cut 3 hrs from my daily commute and all I keep saying to my family and friends is how wonderful my quality of life is now.

I wish I never had to go back into an office again! 

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I'm in the office today.  I hate working at home, tried it and it didn't last long.  I have always enjoyed the separation of work and home, round trip commute for me is about an hour and a half.  My office has a 55" tv, full cable, netflix, couch, we have a full kitchen and beer in the fridge. 

Watching Ozark season three while working.

You can have a quality of life everywhere.

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That sounds like some of the big pharma buildings I've worked on lately...

[CreditInspired]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Not much has changed. I paid off my DCU card early just to get rid of the 30% utilization but that was only $300. Everything else is still being paid as scheduled. I owe Citi 4 more payments (0% doesn't expire until December) and Capital One 3 more payments (0% expires in October) before I am back to PIF so I am just sticking with that schedule. Spending a bit more on dry storage items. My grocery budget will probably double with my plans to turn my second closet into a pantry. I don't want to be caught unprepared again. 

Took my stimulus today and put $600 to max out DCU's $1K at 6.17%, put $100 in AOD, $100 in Langley, $300 in Alliant, and left $100 in 1stBank for now. If US Bank ever gets my name fixed the last $100 is going in there. Going to put $400 in my savings accounts next month to cap my $2K limit. Since Medicaid eligibility won't be impacted by the stimulus payments for a year, I feel safe putting $2K in the bank while the limit should be $3200. 

Everything else is the same since I already had been spending my life in my room long before this happened. 

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YOU GOT YOUR STIMULUS!!

Kudos @Anonymous . I'm still waiting. Well at least this tells me that for SS ppl who havent received it yet, it's right around the corner. Was it DD?

---

@CreditInspired I got a check in the mail. I'm under $20K so they did it quick. SS recipients are supposed to go out early May (they have a cut off of 5/4 for people to add kids on the simple filing form so probably by the 11th). I hope the IRS doesn't screw up and have the Treasury do DD for everyone who gets SS or I will have a second stimulus payment and have to return it. 

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I was able to put my DD info in the IRS Portal this afternoon. Hip hip hooray, it accepted it. I guess it took it because I work and get SS. Now if it can be on my checking account by Friday, I'll be one happy camper. 

Oh, Saeren, on another note. I love, love your tagline 😆😆 So, I guess I wasnt the only one who took eons to get it right 😆😆

[Anonymous]

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Not much has changed. I paid off my DCU card early just to get rid of the 30% utilization but that was only $300. Everything else is still being paid as scheduled. I owe Citi 4 more payments (0% doesn't expire until December) and Capital One 3 more payments (0% expires in October) before I am back to PIF so I am just sticking with that schedule. Spending a bit more on dry storage items. My grocery budget will probably double with my plans to turn my second closet into a pantry. I don't want to be caught unprepared again. 

Took my stimulus today and put $600 to max out DCU's $1K at 6.17%, put $100 in AOD, $100 in Langley, $300 in Alliant, and left $100 in 1stBank for now. If US Bank ever gets my name fixed the last $100 is going in there. Going to put $400 in my savings accounts next month to cap my $2K limit. Since Medicaid eligibility won't be impacted by the stimulus payments for a year, I feel safe putting $2K in the bank while the limit should be $3200. 

Everything else is the same since I already had been spending my life in my room long before this happened. 

---

YOU GOT YOUR STIMULUS!!

Kudos @Anonymous . I'm still waiting. Well at least this tells me that for SS ppl who havent received it yet, it's right around the corner. Was it DD?

---

@CreditInspired I got a check in the mail. I'm under $20K so they did it quick. SS recipients are supposed to go out early May (they have a cut off of 5/4 for people to add kids on the simple filing form so probably by the 11th). I hope the IRS doesn't screw up and have the Treasury do DD for everyone who gets SS or I will have a second stimulus payment and have to return it. 

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I was able to put my DD info in the IRS Portal this afternoon. Hip hip hooray, it accepted it. I guess it took it because I work and get SS. Now if it can be on my checking account by Friday, I'll be one happy camper. 

Oh, Saeren, on another note. I love, love your tagline 😆😆 So, I guess I wasnt the only one who took eons to get it right 😆😆

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Glad you were able to get it in there!

And no, you were far from the only one. I actually had many others express shock when they saw that I am actually a male. I guess I use too many emoji or something 🤣 

[CreditInspired]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@CreditInspired wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Not much has changed. I paid off my DCU card early just to get rid of the 30% utilization but that was only $300. Everything else is still being paid as scheduled. I owe Citi 4 more payments (0% doesn't expire until December) and Capital One 3 more payments (0% expires in October) before I am back to PIF so I am just sticking with that schedule. Spending a bit more on dry storage items. My grocery budget will probably double with my plans to turn my second closet into a pantry. I don't want to be caught unprepared again. 

Took my stimulus today and put $600 to max out DCU's $1K at 6.17%, put $100 in AOD, $100 in Langley, $300 in Alliant, and left $100 in 1stBank for now. If US Bank ever gets my name fixed the last $100 is going in there. Going to put $400 in my savings accounts next month to cap my $2K limit. Since Medicaid eligibility won't be impacted by the stimulus payments for a year, I feel safe putting $2K in the bank while the limit should be $3200. 

Everything else is the same since I already had been spending my life in my room long before this happened. 

---

YOU GOT YOUR STIMULUS!!

Kudos @Anonymous . I'm still waiting. Well at least this tells me that for SS ppl who havent received it yet, it's right around the corner. Was it DD?

---

@CreditInspired I got a check in the mail. I'm under $20K so they did it quick. SS recipients are supposed to go out early May (they have a cut off of 5/4 for people to add kids on the simple filing form so probably by the 11th). I hope the IRS doesn't screw up and have the Treasury do DD for everyone who gets SS or I will have a second stimulus payment and have to return it. 

---

I was able to put my DD info in the IRS Portal this afternoon. Hip hip hooray, it accepted it. I guess it took it because I work and get SS. Now if it can be on my checking account by Friday, I'll be one happy camper. 

Oh, Saeren, on another note. I love, love your tagline 😆😆 So, I guess I wasnt the only one who took eons to get it right 😆😆

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Glad you were able to get it in there!

And no, you were far from the only one. I actually had many others express shock when they saw that I am actually a male. I guess I use too many emoji or something 🤣 

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Nope, not too many emojis. I just thought from the name. Of course, I'm probably pronouncing it incorrectly in my head 🤣