Turns out I called it correct, our big meeting today was to tell us all that we are going to be taking a 15% pay cut at the start of next month. This is in effect for the foreseeable future and is completely reversible. In order to be reversed our leadership would have to see a sizeable jump or a more normal pattern to our organization’s overall earnings and/or at the end of the year if we exceed our earnings projection.
This is all done in order to prevent layoffs or furloughs, which is a step that we don’t want to have to take. I get that. The pay cut sucks but at least we still have jobs. I had originally thought it was 10% which wouldn’t have been bad at all for me. However, now that it’s 15% that is going to hurt. Instead of being able to make a car payment from 1 check I may have to spread it over two so that I have enough money to pay the bills. That is what I did when I first started down the road of higher car payments.
I have crunched all kinds of numbers to try to forecast what my check will look like when this hits but there are a couple of unique variables that go in to the equation I won’t know until I get that first check. That is something I will be in suspense about until the middle of next month. I have already stopped my 401k contribution for the moment. When things go back to normal, I will certainly start contributing again. Right now, though I need every penny I can get my hands on to stay afloat.
Considering that I am not commuting to and from work, I think that I will be okay. However, I am in a bit of panic mode right now. Thinking about maybe cancelling Netflix and potentially Spotify. I do have a small amount of money saved which will also help me out. However, I would like to keep as much of that tucked away as possible. Even though I got bad news, you never know when worse news is on the horizon.
Looks like I picked the worst possible time to get glasses. I mean I can pay cash for them but I am glad that I can spread the cost over 6 months with no interest, that will certainly help me out. I’ve also got a monster credit card bill that needs to be paid in full (since I don’t carry a balance) the largest thing there was my license plate renewal. Even though I won’t be driving much you still have to have current plates on your car.
If it looks like I will have problems then I will certainly reach out to my lenders (home and auto) to see what kind of alternate arrangements can be made. I don’t want to have to do that at all. However, I am not above asking for help. After all I am the sole supporter of myself and if I don’t ask for help (if it’s needed) then I can’t expect that someone will be doing it for me.
Today I also learned that we will start to open our offices the 1st of the month and if you voluntarily want to go back and have no underlying health concerns then you can return to the office. If you don’t want to go back or have health concerns, then you can keep working from home. There is no pressure to return to the office at all. That is an uncommon benefit. I think most employers would be like, were open and you need to come back. Based on what my Doctor told me at my last visit unless something drastic changes I will probably be working from home for the remainder of the year and a good portion of next year. Not exactly what I wanted to hear and not sure that I can survive here that long w/o having a mental break but I just take it day by day.
I hope that this will all end soon and life can go back to some form of “normal” or that we can adjust to a “new normal”. Not that I would be a social butterfly but it’s nice to be able to move with freedom – not having to wear a mask. Being able to go out to eat, see a movie or take a short trip. I do have a couple of new social groups that I discovered last year and had planned on going to a couple gatherings before the COVID thing hit. They are still gathering but you won’t find me there, it’s just not safe given the risk groups that I am in.
That is the big news of the day. The other big development is that one of the cats finally knocked over the water bowl in my room. It’s a wet mess but I have cleaned it up as best I can. Of course, no one is talking, I guess the cats got their tongue! My best guess tells me it was Gator because she has to paw at the bowl or fountain before she drinks. I think she hit it too hard and got wet. Not only that but in the process, she soaked her brother. Everyone was smiling this morning as if nothing had happened. Gator was crying because the water was empty and that’s when I knew what occurred and wound up stepping on a wet rug. Nothing quite says good morning like an unexpected wet surprise on your feet. ICK.
At least we made it to Friday. I’ve been going since 7. Stopped to take a short break but no nap today and I am honestly ready for a nap. Think I might just go get one while it’s still quiet. Of course, as soon as I lay my head down, I know the phone will see it and then start going crazy.
Have a nice weekend and take care of yourself.
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