Brightside

[Fred siegle]

I haven’t had to buy gas in a month!

 

[Scout]

There is some crazy **** online about people being able to see things in the distance they never thought they could see or cities looking clear as day.

Everyone is going to have bumper crop gardens this year.

 

[swingline]

I have a flat tire, so I can't drive anywhere even if I wanted to.

 

[outofplace]

This type of thinking seemed familiar to me. Then I realized where and I started hoping it doesn't get any more familiar.

 

[Spartan Squad]

I haven’t had to buy gas in a month!

I was just telling Mrs. Spartan the same thing. I filled up the day before school shut down and haven't again the 4 weeks since. I've driven into work twice in the mean time and a couple of trips to the store and I'm at the point where if I go much further than the neighborhood store I'll have to gas up again. I expect to get at least another week before I'll have to gas up. Possibly two if I play it right.

I normally have to fill up once every week, so I'm saving about $120 in gas costs. I think my wife goes the same stretch and we've filled hers up once in the last four weeks (for $14 mind you!!!), so collectively we've saved about $220 to $230 just in gas. That doesn't account for what we are not spending on random **** we buy each week. Mind you we're spending more on groceries, but I think we're coming out ahead regardless.

 

[Jake from State Farm]

Saving $$$ by eating at home and doing a LOT of walking

 

[outofplace]

I was just telling Mrs. Spartan the same thing. I filled up the day before school shut down and haven't again the 4 weeks since. I've driven into work twice in the mean time and a couple of trips to the store and I'm at the point where if I go much further than the neighborhood store I'll have to gas up again. I expect to get at least another week before I'll have to gas up. Possibly two if I play it right.

I normally have to fill up once every week, so I'm saving about $120 in gas costs. I think my wife goes the same stretch and we've filled hers up once in the last four weeks (for $14 mind you!!!), so collectively we've saved about $220 to $230 just in gas. That doesn't account for what we are not spending on random **** we buy each week. Mind you we're spending more on groceries, but I think we're coming out ahead regardless.

I haven't filled up since mid-March and I've still got nearly half a tank. Of course, we also have some big expenses that were put off due to the current crisis. My daughter was scheduled to take her road test, which would have meant a big jump in our insurance along with the money we have put aside to get her a car.

Of course, when I think of that, I am reminded of how she sees the situation. This was supposed to be a period of increased freedom in her life. If there is a part of me that sees that as a bright side, too, I'm telling that part to at least keep its mouth shut around my daughter.

 

[poindexter]

Not only using less gas, but the cost is cut by 25%

 

[britwrit]

My train both to and from work is always delightfully empty. Plenty of room to stretch out and read my book in peace.

It's like that line from Zombieland. "Just played nine holes at the Riviera... Just walked on, nobody there..."

 

[micropolitan guy]

I filled up my car on Feb. 20. Since then I have driven 256 total miles (yes, I keep track of that stuff). Filled it up sometime in March when it was about 5/8 full, because gas was so cheap. I don't drive much to begin with, but have driven almost nowhere in the last seven weeks. Might have to go top off the tank with gas so low before OPEC makes it go up again. Gas for $2.03 in Microville is as low as it's been in a decade, seems like.

I've also had about $43 in my wallet. Any big expense (beer, etc) goes on the card, but when I don't meet friends for breakfast/lunch once a week, go to happy hour, etc., I just don't spend any money.

 

[Scout]

My front and back yard look amazing right now.

I might start dusting off my camera and start doing some landscape photography.

 

[Webster]

I have not used cash for anything since I bought a scratch off ticket to bribe my son on March 14th.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

I wear shoes for maybe three hours a week. My feet don’t hurt at all anymore.

 

[Webster]

I wear shoes for maybe three hours a week. My feet don’t hurt at all anymore.

That has been a big plus. I haven’t put dress shoes or even anything besides sneakers/flip flops on since March 13th.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

My dog has never been happier.

 

[Fred siegle]

I wear shoes for maybe three hours a week. My feet don’t hurt at all anymore.

I haven’t worn shoes or socks since this started. Also no deodorant. (Probably a downside for the people who come in “contact” with me. It does seem to work as a natural human repellant to keep everyone 6 feet away if I walk to the store.

 

[Driftwood]

I filled up my truck sometime four weeks ago. I still have half a tank.
I haven't had to iron any work clothes in the same span.
I'm making bank grocery shopping for my parents. They give me cash. I swipe my card and get 1.5% cash back!

 

[Scout]

I’ve ridden my bike.
My daughter rediscovered her Switch thanks to Animal Crossing.
I have not set an alarm.
I walk the dog every morning.
The weather has been glorious.
My knees stopped hurting (I really need good work shoes)
My family has been very lucky through this. I don’t think my wife or I will miss a paycheck (touch wood), and I think we are getting some money next week.
I am learning new job skills I can use in the future.
We did some home remodeling this winter (a lot of paint and put hardwood in some places upstairs and can really enjoy it.
Spam phone calls have all but stopped.
No one I know has gone to the hospital.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

I’ve been working from home for the last three weeks. I was spending $35-$40 a week on gas and another $5 on tolls. So I’ve saved $120-$135 in commuting costs.

I was getting into a bad habit of getting fast food near the office a couple of days a week. That’s been about $12 a week saved.

I’ve slept an hour later each day. I feel much more refreshed. I also have an extra hour in the day when I’m done with work.

When I take breaks, I can do something brief around the house, like empty the dishwasher or switch over laundry. Or, de-stress by petting one of my cats.

I can wear comfortable clothes every day. I prefer sweatshirts and T-shirts to office-wear any day of the week.

I wouldn’t mind going in the office one or two days a week, but working from home has been so much easier.

 

[swingline]

I wonder if those now working from home like it, or would they rather be in the office?

Since being laid off nearly three years ago, all of my editing and writing work has been done at home. I much prefer it to going into an office. My wife is having a harder time of being home all the time.

Fortunately for our family, our relationship hasn’t suffered with all the time together.