simpler-living report: CY20Q3

Summary: I’m cookin’ the books in Q3. 

Ye Olde Dell Laptop went kaput two weeks ago.  It was over eight-years old so there are no hard feelings.  I had thought about replacing it before moving east in 2017 but it had pulled itself together eventually after the update to Windows 10.  I worked through the stress of suddenly being laptop-less, made an unhurried thoughtful choice, and am now back able to do important tasks like post stuff on BITNF.  My daily to-do list was on the old laptop so I was adrift for a few days feeling free to do nothing other than hike and start watching Season 1 of Downton Abbey again. 

My initial response to the Dell’s demise was, of course, FUCK! but part of that was an old superstitious belief that things don’t malfunction as one off’s.  There’s usually a bundle.  Along with this unplanned expense (I held my breath when paying to see if my credit card would accept such a large amount), my 15-year old hatchback is in need of a muffler replacement, and I suspected the 1990’s sewing machine would have to be replaced before my quilting adventures could begin this winter.

Since moving back to Nova Scotia three years ago, I’ve got two iPhones and an iPad but those have all been welcome hand-me-downs when my dad and step-mom bought new devices.  I knew I would have to replace a 2012 laptop soon but had not set aside $ for tech.  This was an obvious miss in budgeting. 

But back to Q3 (second full quarter since COVID-19 restrictions started here) and how I’m cookin’ the books.  I had a generous vacation budget for the year and didn’t go anywhere so I’m paying for the following hiking/camping/biking items (kinda-sorta travel-related) from the vacation budget:

• Cost of gas and other expenses for Adventure Day trips in August and September.
• Books on Canadian and US National Parks.
• Camping mug and coffee thermos (I get a discount when I use it at my favoUrite coffee shop).
• Bike helmet (a friend gave me her old bike, hurrah!).
• Gaiters for hiking/snowshoeing.
• Headlamp for hiking/camping. 

My initial notes and the budget details for Q3 are on the old laptop but I remember I was going to tie together the gaiters and headlamp as replacing old, well-used items I got my $’s worth from.  I now add the laptop to that list.  The new headlamp replaces one I bought before my first trip to the Grand Canyon in 2008—it was purple with big purple flowers on the headband (I was disappointed that there were absolutely no FUN choices for replacements).  The new hiking gaiters replace the first ones I bought at REI ~2009 which are threadbare (my new ones are from MEC before MEC sold out).  The Q4 budget already seems a write-off, but I was relieved and excited when I heard last week that there’s no need for a new sewing machine just yet.  My 30ish-year-old basic Kenmore, after servicing, is good to go.

References and related links:

• CY20Q3: Calendar Year 2020, Third Quarter (July to September). Calendar Year distinguishes from a company’s Financial Year (FY) which has a different start date than January 1st.
• REI: Recreational Equipment, Inc.
• MEC: Mountain Equipment Co-op.
• simpler-living report: CY20Q2 (post #144)