"Has anyone actually saved a ton of money during COVID?"
I’m not talking about a few hundred here and there because of lack of eating out and I’m also not talking of course about saving millions lol.
Like has anyone seen their savings accounts grow by a couple thousand (and don’t OKP me and point out by saving a few hundred here and there that equals eventually a couple thousand, you know what I mean lol)?
A lot of my friends have lost jobs so they are struggling even with unemployment but I imagine on the other side there are folks that have actually come out hella ahead during this decade of quarantine lol.
1. "No. been doing home improvement with the time. " In response to Reply # 0
My wife and I have been lucky in that our jobs didn't lay anyone off and we got to work from home.
We used the stimulus money to buy a generator (i'm in FL). We've painted some of the house. We've been fixing up the backyard too, making it more of a hangout since.
We're in the middle of fixing up our bathroom.
If a fat guy falls in the woods and there is no one around to see it, do the trees laugh?
2. "Minor savings" In response to Reply # 0 Wed Jun-10-20 03:58 PM by DJR
I haven’t bought any clothes at all. Usually I pick up a few things for the spring/summer. So there’s some savings.
Not eating out but been tipping large when i occasionally do takeout and am finding the price of groceries has gone way up so not sure how much I’m even saving here.
Even though I’m doing far less driving, I’ve managed to both need a new battery and run over a screw and need a new tire so there’s extra money down the drain.
been saving on gas and eating out for lunch everyday, but when I do order food, I look out on the tip. Saved mad money on haircuts. I got my first haircut, yesterday, in 12 weeks. My barber was cracking on me....said I looked like Morgan Freeman if his hair was black, lol. But, hell...25 plus tip/week...over 12 weeks...plus, my sons got cuts every other week and they just went back, too. I been hittin off food banks, a lot and my kids school provides meals to kids who were getting free lunch when school was in, so I stay kickin in to their pantry. Other than, that...Ion't do shit. I still be shoppin, doe.
...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft
21. "I see kicks I want,then realize I’ve only worn slides for 2 weeks stra..." In response to Reply # 5
so I don’t bother.
Haircuts are another minor savings - I was usually every 10-14 days. I last got cut in Mid March right as everything was getting crazy. Honestly might even wait another month or so. I don’t go anywhere but the grocery store these days, nobody is seeing me anyway.
Alcohol is another minor savings. Can’t go out anymore and I don’t drink at home like that.
Since the quarantine began in March, the only things we've spent money on are regular bills, groceries and maybe a take out meal once or twice a week. No concerts, no shows, no chillin' at a bar, no shopping.
I had been stacking money to get a car. But I may get the car and go ahead and pay off the rest of my student loan too. I've got roughly 4-5 yrs left on it if I keep paying monthly.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Wed Jun-10-20 04:59 PM
7. "Yes. Serious money. We pay 460 a week in daycare" In response to Reply # 0 Wed Jun-10-20 05:01 PM by legsdiamond
It’s been about 10 weeks.
Then my wife was getting UE for her part time gig
Add in no gas used for commuting and we came up.
Oh.. and we didn’t eat out at all for the first 2 months of the shelter in place.
Now we did spend more on groceries since we were all eating lunch at home.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
but I went outlet shopping this past weekend, Amazon Prime gets the best of me and I've spent crazy on food (delivery) and wine just because the extra amount was there
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Wed Jun-10-20 09:05 PM
18. "Our grocery bill went up a bit" In response to Reply # 11
I was stocking the fridge and it was my only outlet so I went a little overboard a few times.
Freezer is swole with food tho.
We’ve spent more on home maintenance but it’s a good investment.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
12. "Some, but not a ton." In response to Reply # 0
I'm saving for a house, so I've been tucking as much as possible. My tax refund was fire, along with the stimulus check. I've only been eating out 2-3 times a week and I lost a relationship in January, so I've been saving what would be spent on dates. I wanna take a road trip/vacation, but if I have to be masked up, fuck it.
On the flip, there's always something to want from Amazon. I've bought a lot of shit to make working from home more comfortable. I'm spending a bit more on groceries since eating comfortably in a restaurant hasn't come back around.
15. "My spending is down a ton (Mint graph included)" In response to Reply # 0 Wed Jun-10-20 06:26 PM by Oak27
Here is my credit card spending over the last 12 months. This is basically all my spending besides my rent, electric (~25 month) and phone (~70 month) that comes out of my checking account.
Went from spending about $2200/month average to $740/month for the 2 full months we've been in quarantine. So I'm saving an extra $1450/month on top of what I already save regularly.
22. "Word." In response to Reply # 20 Wed Jun-10-20 10:05 PM by lightworks
All this really opened my eyes to how much total bullshit I was spending money on before the quarantine hit.
Very proud of myself to see my savings grow but I’m also lowkey like “Noooo world don’t open back up so soon I am not sure I will be able to stop myself from hitting the bars and entertainment options” lol.
26. "Today, I will get gas for the first time since March....other than that...." In response to Reply # 0
We've spent waaaaaay more..
More on food (kids home, their lunch & snacks added more to grocery bill)
More on food (ordering from Amazon Fresh & Whole Foods Delivery is exponentially more expensive than our usual Trader Joe's grocery shopping...haven't been into Trader Joe's since March...also been tipping at 20% for the grocery deliveries...shit adds up)
Even MORE on food (started doing Hungry Harvest for produce again and that's about $35 - $45 more weekly on top of what we're spending on groceries)
"Entertainment"... added more subscription services.. Kindle Unlimited, Noggin, HBO, Apple Arcade, bought a Nintendo Switch..
Technology....had to upgrade the internet service and the wifi equipment...why?...because two kids doing Zoom & MS Teams for school & wife & I doing our MS Teams & Zoom conferences for work proved to be really taxing...more than i'd imagined actually....
Incidentals ..... I probably done spent $200 on masks. Also buying way more stuff for the kids to keep them occupied & entertained...books (library is closed), Legos (I swear these shits cost more now), Kiwi subscription (STEM shit), sprinkler & new hose for the backyard (it be HOT in the DMV), blow-up pool, bubbles & bubble guns, new scooters, jump ropes...just goofy shit that we probably shoulda already had...but didn't....
I know I'm missing some shit... oh yeah...
Emergency Prep...new generator & associated stuff for that, chest freezer for the basement
got damn....
"Get ready....for your blessing....." "Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Jun-11-20 06:55 AM
27. "Man. There were a few weeks early on where I looked at grocery bills" In response to Reply # 26
and realized I was just shopping to shop.
Part of it was because we had more money but I had to check myself.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
BrooklynWHAT Member since Jun 15th 2007 85068 posts
Thu Jun-11-20 08:12 AM
32. "i was still buying snacks like i had friends coming over" In response to Reply # 27
i looked in my closet the other day and i'm like "why do i have *brand* bbq chips. i dont even eat these...oop those are jessica and will's favorite chips" and i used to just keep them on deck because they were at my place all the time
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Jun-11-20 10:41 AM
39. "Will and Jessica? He buying bland chips for white folk? " In response to Reply # 35
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
34. "Yeah early on we were in STOCK UP mode trying to stash stuff in pantry" In response to Reply # 27
and just have shit on deck so we wouldn't have to go INSIDE the grocery store....
It's gotten a little bit better...but not much lol... And it's not that we're buying crazy stuff...just these youngins are BOTH apparently in a growth spurt and stay eating...
Went INSIDE Target for the first time since March on Monday. Gotta say...I don't see the point anymore...the ONLY reason we had to go in is because they don't do curbside pickup for toilet paper & wine/beer.
"Get ready....for your blessing....." "Bury me by my Grand-Grand and when you can come follow me"
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Jun-11-20 10:50 AM
40. "Kids are in snack mode" In response to Reply # 34
but it’s still pretty cheap. They love Honey Nut Cheerios, Grapes, PB&J, etc.
We got a Costco membership just because they have Wicked Weed IPA that we like. Ended up buying an Apple Watch for the wife since it was on sale and TP.
I just kept buying meat and putting it in the freezer. Almost time to plug in the chest in the garage.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
29. "I forgot I upgraded the modem" In response to Reply # 26
still on a regular 300mbps plan, but the old one was limited to 100mbps
(if you have slow home internet and a cable modem, especially if your upload speed is still ok, have them send you a new modem or buy one that's at least docsis 3.0/24x8 channel
33. "FiOS, I ditched the TV plan last year and stopped renting their router/m..." In response to Reply # 29
modem thing just this past fall when I discovered I could just plug my mesh router directly into the ONT (or whatever that thing is called)...
That was working decent enough, but we still had 100mb/s service as of 3 weeks ago. I got to researching and found out I could get Gigabit service for $10 more than I was paying for 100mbps so that was the move.
Once that was activated I quickly determined that the low budget mesh router I had (Tenda MW6) was a weak link...dropping signal, slow handoff between nodes, max speed was lower than gigabit, etc...
Ended up with the Velop MX5 WiFi 6 unit that amazingly covers the entire house (basement & two levels above) I'm averaging 500mbps down AND up. (mix of iPhones, Macbooks, iPads, Dell laptop, Android) The iPhones & my work Galaxy S10e are the only ones that can take full advantage of WiFi 6...
NO more dropped & freezing Zoom & MS Teams meetings....also some other network benefits that I hadn't expected...
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Jun-11-20 07:59 AM
31. "We always dream about the day we no longer have daycare cost" In response to Reply # 28
and we take summers off to stack a bit since my wife is a teacher.
I appreciate what daycare workers put up with but is crazy how much we are saving.
Once these little ones are out of daycare.. we will be straight as hell. Still have to pay for after school programs but not nearly what we pay now.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Jun-11-20 09:04 AM
37. "They rigged the game. " In response to Reply # 36
If no one can use it then you should at least have a reduced rate since they aren’t feeding kids or using electricity.
That’s some bull.
I think our daycare won’t even open until there are enough kids going to cover the cost of operations.
We always take the summer off so it’s all gravy until late August.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Thu Jun-11-20 10:54 AM
42. "My wife turned down a job offer that paid 10K more" In response to Reply # 38
partially because it’s on the sticks with a bunch of wypipo but also because we don’t need the money.
I think that was the first time we live ever turned down a gig that had a significant pay raise.
We are good where we are.. which is weird and totally new for us.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
51. "that's awesome to be able to do that." In response to Reply # 42
there's so much pressure to take that extra pay.
we were good while she wasn't working. I didn't even ask her about going back to work. fortunately, they called her in.
the best part for me, is that she's doing different, easier work. physically easier. and it pays a bit more than what she was doing. we were good, but this will be good too.
44. "I refinanced in Feb, that has saved me a lot. " In response to Reply # 0
Mortgage payment decreased by $600.
Otherwise I feel like my expenses have increased slightly due to not being in office to get free food/coffee.
I have gotten more 'strategic' about credit card points though. E.G: Amex has an Amazon offer for extra points on any order, which is great since I've been getting more stuff delivered. Now before I order anything online, I see if there's points to be had either via Amex or airline. Should've been doing that before, but I was lazy.
45. "Ive gone from paycheck->paycheck to a 7 with a comma behind it" In response to Reply # 0
It feels weird. Doubly so because I have to be mentally prepared for the winter to fist fuck the restaurant industry into submission so really almost none of that money is for anything but the future. Also feels weird when so many of my brothers and sisters in aprons are more broke than ever before. Like a survivor's guilt sort of thing.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79586 posts
Fri Jun-12-20 08:02 AM
46. "Not trying to be in your biz" In response to Reply # 45
but I guess you were able to work during this or nah?
Great that you were able to save so much.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
54. "Yeah, we shifted to delivery immediately" In response to Reply # 46
Even though our food didn't necessarily make sense for it, our kitchen is full of clever potheads so they just dove right in on turning French fine dining into something you could take on the go. I had experience with delivery from a stint at Jimmy John's so I set up our coordination and routing systems, and our state lifted bans on cocktails to-go so since I was the bar manager previously I also took that on. Our wine retail location also never closed to the public and so we started selling cocktail kits and bringing in more premium whiskeys like Whistle Pig and watching them fly off the shelves days later.
Now our dining room has been re-opened for about a month and we run a real skeleton crew of myself, the shop manager and the former GM of the best fine dining restaurant in the state. At this point everyone on the floor is a manager or former manager so we feel very capable of handling whatever weirdness comes our way night over night, and while it means we have to deal with a lot of people expecting a regularly paced dinner service and complaining about food times we also feel confident we have the tools to diffuse those situations without screaming in their face how lucky we as Nebraskans are to be dining out AT ALL right now.
I think I said it the first time but if I didn't, there's a real sense of survivor's guilt attached to all this. Most of our back of house staff is back but most of our front of house was let go or is still furloughed, and so many of my fellow chefs, servers and bartenders are still struggling to collect on unemployment let alone live off it...and recent changes to the state's approach to COVID have made it even harder for restaurants to remain closed out of moral obligation and allow their employees to continue collecting. I got to bypass all of that while remaining healthy and I just have to keep my fingers crossed that remains the case going into the winter. Because going through even what we did in the spring, let alone actually having to close, when its 15 degrees outside and snow all over would be really devastating emotionally and maybe the actual death of this industry.
48. "Yes and it's a weird feeling." In response to Reply # 0
A year ago I was thinking that an economic downturn was coming so I started making some moves to insulate myself and it eerily paid off. Doesn't seem right to brag on any of my accomplishments with the world going to shit.
53. "Yes. My job increased my hours by 20 a week" In response to Reply # 0
and that's all overtime. I've saved 5k so far, and i'll have 10k by September. and that's while actually living better than pre-pandemic. I buy $50 bottles of whiskey instead of $20.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
General Discussion
