november and december 2022 have been stressful
Sometimes the timing of system failures does not feel random.
There is never a "good time" for something expensive to fail. Some times of the year are more stressful than others.
The garbage disposal failing during the above two month period was more financially painful, than if it had happened during the summer, or even just a month earlier, or January of the next year : |
Our refrigerator also failed during the above two month period. The replacement was almost US$1600. So, first we had to suffer for several weeks, using camping coolers and using ice, until we had sufficient savings after paying our usual bills, to be able to purchase the replacement.
The other stressor was, even upon purchase, it was several weeks before the purchased fridge arrived at our house.
Oh, and one of our cars has its registration/smog due in Decembers, so that added some cyclical financial hurt.
The water heater drain valve issue was stressful at first. Didn't know if it was just the drain valve, or if I would have to replace the entire water heater, which would have been a big financial pain. Thankfully it was just stressful, and ended up being a small financial pain to get a replacement drain valve.
So, compared to real pain and suffering in other parts of the world, this is whining.
But for me, it reinforces that for My Little Family, living in the 1st world, things are still stressful, and we seem in a situation of "thin ice" where we are doing okay, living paycheck to paycheck, until a crisis occurs, like these two months brought.
This unexpected expense destroyed our xmas gift budget. Now trying to just spend US$25 or so per person in My Little Family. Very much feeling like Bob Cratchit of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol."
Additionally, had to leave work and drive to my credit union, to xfer funds from my tiny emergency savings fund to checking, so the car payment would have sufficient funds. Tiny emergency savings fund now depleted. Ice even thinner : |
So, again yes: boo hoo, here I am whining needing a fridge and disposal caused a frugal xmas. So, again also: at least we could afford a new fridge and disposal, and are not homeless, or such other _real_ strife/suffering. Yet lastly, it still sucked, and caused us suffering : |