simpler-living report CY21Q1

I simplified my budget tracking for 2021.  I didn’t post a CY20Q4 report or a yearly review because I had stopped tracking in September.  I decided to begin again in January with a less-complicated method.  What’s new since the CY20Q3 report is that I’ve had income from freelance technical writing / editing—and along with appreciating the $, I’ve been really enjoying doing this type of work again.   

Summary: I’m under budget for Q1.

Grocery store shelves look back to normal but this pandemic continues to remind me of the principle of supply and demand.  A local retailer shared recently that suppliers have told him to expect only half of what he orders to be delivered.  Now is not the time to shop around or wait for an item to go on sale.  With that in mind, after not buying much in January and February, I carpe diem’ed with the following purchases in March:

• Camp chair.  Last spring, by the time I ventured out to buy a comfy chair for my balcony, I got laughed at—stock had long been depleted by SIP folk with more foresight than me improving their outdoor spaces.  So I rarely used my balcony all summer.  But I was ready this year!  I started looking in early March as the stores began to switch over their seasonal items and I bought a “zero-gravity” chair from the first local hardware store where I found them.  Now I just need milder weather.
• Cycling gear.  I was thrilled when a friend gave me her old bike last year.  It got a spring tune-up and some bells and whistles (including a bell) at the local bike shop.  The popularity of cycling* due to the pandemic is crazy here and that has affected availability of parts and gear as well as bikes.  Biking in Nova Scotia in April is not a given but I’ve been out for a few group rides already (my hiking legs felt the cross training).
• Summer hiking boots.  I ordered online a new pair of hiking boots for warm weather.  Because I have few vegan boot choices, I didn’t want to risk waiting and not being able to get my common shoe size. 
• Cleats and spikes.  After my microspikes broke, I bought cleats at the local outdoor gear store so I wouldn’t miss any time hiking in the snow.  I also bought a replacement pair of the spikes online so I will be ready for icy trails again next winter**.

Gear and transport were the focus for March. The largest expense was repairs on my 16 year-old car.

After waiting for months, I finally got an IKEA drop-leaf table that is ideal for sewing.  I suspect the item was out-of-stock for so long here due to supply issues.  The table takes up little space in my apartment when not in use but, with both leaves extended, becomes a cutting table as well as sewing table.  Kitty quilt production has finally begun in earnest (and in comfort).  

Stay safe everyone.  I’m excited that I have an appointment in two weeks for my first vaccine shot.  

* If you have a bicycle that you’re not going to use again, now would be a great time to sell or donate it! 

**Geeky hiking gear note: Why both cleats and spikes?  I used the spikes very differently out west in the mountains compared to here where some form of traction (cleats, spikes, snowshoes) is needed for entire hikes on snow.  Often the cleats are sufficient in packed snow rather than wearing (and wearing down) spikes which are needed for icy trails.

References and related links:

• SIP: Shelter In Place.
• Demand for bikes rivals Cabbage Patch craze, says shop owner (CBC News)
• simpler-living report: CY20Q3 (post #150)
• panniversary (post #158)