Feb 2, 2023
NEW FRIENDS (Flash Fiction) As you get older, your circle of friends shrinks, but this does not have to be the case.
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NEW FRIENDS (Flash Fiction) As you get older, your circle of friends shrinks, but this does not have to be the case.
How to save during Pandemic
Covid-19 crisis really shocked the whole world. It affects our lives, jobs and health. We faced lockdown for how many months and the companies and business were forced to temporarily shut down to show a support to our Government to fight this Pandemic.
As people continuing the support for the efforts of Government amidst the Pandemic we can't deny the fact that while supporting them, people need also to support their needs because as of now that is it hard to look for a job. They also need to survive so it happened that it brought many changes to peoples lives on how they budget their income and finances. To help you get through this crisis here are some tips on how you can save during the Pandemic.
Evaluate changes in your expenses
The pandemic has brought significant changes to your work and lifestyle that surely affects your finances. Now’s the time to assess your new financial situation—what exactly changed about it, what can be improved, and where opportunities to save more may come in. Here are the big ones that may affect your cash flow:
On essential expenses – before the crisis, essential expenses might have been 40% of your monthly income.
Since most people are in a WFH set-up, transportation costs are lower but electricity costs at home may certainly increase.
People are forced to skip dine-ins and to switch to home cooking instead so yes, food expenses may also be lower.
When managed strategically, these changes in your essential expenses can help you boost your monthly savings by at least 10%.
On discretionary expenses – before the crisis you might have spent 20% of your income on going out, entertainment, restaurant meals, etc. With the restrictions to leave your homes, you can get significant savings of at least 10% of your monthly income. Have a look at your previous bank statements and estimate how much money you are saving on a monthly basis on things that you no longer buy due to the crisis.
Cash flows can negatively be affected if you are under no work-no pay scheme or due to employee retrenchment.
Reallocate your spending
If in any case your income has been negatively affected by this pandemic—either due to pay cuts or retrenchment—it’s time to revisit and see how you can reallocate your spending to make ends meet. Cutting costs can help in getting through this difficult financial situation less stressful. But before you can do that, let’s first look at how and where you spend your money.
Start with your fixed expenses—this includes the things you need to maintain a basic standard of living like housing, utilities, food, insurance and etc. Next is your secondary expenses or your discretionary spending. This may include shopping, entertainment, personal care, recreation, and etc.
You should be able to place each spending to its respective category and decide what can be eliminated to be able to sustain and balance your monthly income and expenses.
Reallocate your spending
If in any case your income has been negatively affected by this pandemic—either due to pay cuts or retrenchment—it’s time to revisit and see how you can reallocate your spending to make ends meet. Cutting costs can help in getting through this difficult financial situation less stressful. But before you can do that, let’s first look at how and where you spend your money.
Start with your fixed expenses—this includes the things you need to maintain a basic standard of living like housing, utilities, food, insurance and etc. Next is your secondary expenses or your discretionary spending. This may include shopping, entertainment, personal care, recreation, and etc.
You should be able to place each spending to its respective category and decide what can be eliminated to be able to sustain and balance your monthly income and expenses.
Commit to budgeting and spending
There’s a lot you can’t control right now, but you can control your cash flow to free up some cash by cutting down expenses that you won’t be able to max out. Here are some items you can cut down on your expenses to help you live with your budget:
Online app subscriptions – you may not be spending a lot on physical services right now, but those digital ones can really eat up your funds over time. We’re not asking you to face home quarantine without Netflix to keep you busy but you can trim down on the ones you don’t use as often like Amazon Prime or Hulu—that gives the same entertainment as Netflix.
Gym/Club membership – since we’re forced to stay at home, it would be ideal to discontinue your memberships you won’t be able to maximize from home.
Review and downgrade your plans – have you checked your mobile phone plan recently? You might no longer need that much mobile data you’re getting since you’re at home 24/7 with a home wifi connection. Why not go for a lower deal to save some bucks?
Fees for these subscriptions may appear small but these can have a way of eating up your monthly budget that can be spent on more important stuff.
Take stock of what you have and don’t hoard
Since the pandemic started, empty grocery shelves have become normal as more and more people resort to panic buying and hoarding.
Before you step out of your house to shop and give in to the impulse of buying everything that comes into your head, make sure you’re able to check your pantry shelves to make an assessment first of your current supplies. Many of us already have well-stocked pantries that could help us survive for many weeks but others may not already have these supplies on hand.
You’d rather use what you already have and let someone who needs those goods today. Not only will your community thank you for not hoarding, but your wallet will be glad to not spend on things you won’t need, too!
Identify alternative revenue sources
Aside from cutting back on your expenses and finding out how you can strategically save more money, it’s also important to diversify your income. Relying on a single source of income can be a threat to your financial stability, especially if the crisis is preventing you from earning your usual income rate. In addition to building your skills and consolidating your knowledge, think about how you can leverage those skills to start a side hustle, monetize your expertise, and diversify your income sources. Besides, there are plenty of online job opportunities you can try and surely, you’ll find one that best fits your skill set.
All of these are helpful , people need to know how to save and budget their money and expenses. It is important that you are always prepared to the things that may come.
--------------------------------------------------Reference: https://www.securitybank.com/blog/5-tips-to-save-money-during-covid-19-crisis/
The book I borrowed...
It's funny I remember the thing we've done in the bookstore. We pretended that we were reading every book we took when in fact we were just looking and making fun to witty illustrations. That was our first bond, alone together, after we've interogated each other.
I did make a way to see you again, you made me longing for your mesmerizing eyes and chubby cheeks. I've shown to you that I am intersted to the book you bought, even I'm not, so I can borrow it from you. You never take a second guess, you did accept my invitation and agreed to my request.
We met in my favourite Tapsilogan. As you lent the book you also said that would be the first day of us being together. I've never thought that I would be as happy as that day came. That place was such a memorable for us.
Now, I still have the book that I've borrowed and never return it to you. I put pictures of us even it's not a photo album, so I can take a look whenever I want, not to make fun of it but to reminisce for the wonderful memories we've got.
Missing you
I try not to think about your voice I miss talking to you I try not to think about your smile My world is so empty without you
When i open my eyes I see an empty room Without your smile lighting up And i missing you so much If you only knew How much I love you If you only knew How much i care I love you still
When you went far away from me I love you more and more every day, every minute and every second Never have i found a man like you Someone who looks at me The way that you do You're not like others you are one of a kind, Iloveyou
SAND OF TIME
You held the sand within your palm
Just like you held my hand so calm.
The days went so fast as it did it all
You and I were meant to fall
I saw you there in front of me
Your feet in sand way deep to be
Still a little..taller than me
The guy I want my forever to be
Then I remember what I have to say
You to me will always be this way
The kind , the real , the cuter side
You show to me but to them you hide
In just a tiptoe up to your neck
To your ear I whispered “the heck”
You laughed and leaned a little bit down
Down my ear, I felt you frown
You whispered to me this one question
This one question that I’d rather not mention
I held you tight but then you sank deeper
Deeper in the sands that held your feet quicker
A tear built up and dropped to the sand
I couldn’t have answered as fast as I can
“No , I won’t I won’t I would never in my life”
You just smiled to me , like I was your wife
“I love you so much but you really just have to”
“I won’t , I won’t! No , I won’t let you!”
“Even if you don’t...” he sank even deeper
“I love you , I do. I just don’t want to leave her”
He murmured way deep practically head under sand
Nothing was left there aside from his hand
He didn’t let go , until his final breath
When his hand sank down , I was full of regret
“Why’d I let go?!” I screamed as I dug
I cried all my heart , then I felt a hug
A familiar set of arms wrapping around my waist
It was him yes I know it , was I just longing the taste
I cried and cried far more and more
As I heard his voice say the words I adore
“I love you so much , I just didn’t have the time If I just had the sands of time , you’ll forever be mine”
Up in the air, There are dreams I could always glare. I often sit and wish that I Could be a kite up in the sky.
To ride upon the breeze and go, Whichever way I chanced to blow This dreams I’ve got, Could have a long way to spot
Up in the air, Are chances I am soaring somewhere. Held back by the strings that ties Goals in life and reaching high.