Pandemic Accounting

 

It's been quite a long while since I last posted. I still list down my expenses but the pandemic and the resulting quarantine sure did change how our time is spent. 

When the lockdown was announced last March, there was still a month or so to go before the school term was over. So it was a lot of scrambling to suddenly shift to online learning. While blended learning was already a thing at the institutions I teach at, there was still so much to do and prepare at the time. It really was an emergency. 

Then there was the uncertainty of whether schools would remain open for the rest of the year. A month was spent at preparing online learning materials. We had to learn how to adapt our existing materials and make it fit the distance learning mode, but to produce our own videos. Frankly, just planning the materials was already a herculean task, but also light, shoot and edit videos?  While the school offered equipment and staff to help one shoot these things (on a limited scale, of course), practically no one wanted to venture out of the house then. 

Expenses were lowest in April, May and June. It was difficult to even go out and buy groceries. We relied a lot on the ayuda sent by the barangay and the city, and went out to the market when necessary. Only one family member was allowed outside, and for us, that was my brother. We live in a family compound that was comprised of 60% senior citizens, so it really was difficult to go out and purchase necessary goods. 

Then a bulk of the expenses during the summer months were gadgets: lights and microphones and other accessories. There were no webcams available, so it was either the stock cam on the laptop or figuring out how to use the phone for video. That time really wasn't enough, but we had to make do. 

It's only because of the Halloween break that I'm able to breathe a little. There's still so much to do and prepare, but I wanted to see how I was doing financially. Colleges and universities aren't exactly doing well--enrollment is down, the annual salary increases are being negotiated down to a manageable level, we're still not assured of employment in the coming years or months. At one school, voluntary retirement packages were offered to (and taken by)  full time faculty. 

Mostly, I'm thankful that I still have a job, especially during that time when it was reported that nearly 45% of adults in the Philippines were unemployed. 

In August, I bought a bicycle.  That's why I almost used up all my salary for that month. I had been hunting for a bike since July since public transport was virtually non-existent. There was Grab, but that would be too expensive if taken regularly. Also: I bought a bike even when I didn't know how to ride yet, but I knew I had to learn if I wanted to have some sort of mobility. It was a gift to myself for my birthday. But that's another story. 

In late August and all through September, one of the seniors in our care slipped and had an infected wound that led to the discovery of some heart and sugar level problems. Since there was limited mobility--no Grab at the time--we had to ask our barangay for help. There's an e-trike (like a pedicab) that could be borrowed, but there were so many people who also needed it so scheduling was tough. We found a clinic within town where we could take our elderly relative. Classes had already started then so my brother and I split medical clinic duties. Antibiotics and laboratory work were expensive. At some point, we asked some cousins to help chip in for the medical expenses. 

During the quarantine, I was able to go out once to meet with a friend. It was weird to be outside. We picked a place that wouldn't be too crowded. We were the only ones at the restaurant and we sat at different tables. You still couldn't really hang out and talk. We were out for like an hour or so for the meal and then went home. 

Last month, I myself had some sort of medical emergency. I slipped and managed to wound myself. I hit a wooden stick with a nail on it. Afraid that I would contract tetanus, I went to the emergency room of a hospital, where I was told that since I had tetanus shots (to go with anti-rabies shots) a year ago, that was still valid and I didn't need shots. I thought that was it and was getting ready to leave when they handed me the bill. I had to pay nearly 2 thousand pesos (!) for the consultation alone. A good thing it was covered by the health card. 

There's still a lot of things we go without. I ran out of chips and chichirya, but the nearest grocery in town doesn't allow bikes (even if folded) inside and wanted me to park my bike in a non-secure area. There are many reports of bikes being stolen, and I wasn't about to risk my one big expense this year to thieves. 

Mostly though, I am glad that our family is safe and healthy. We still have our jobs. I have an average savings rate of 30%+ and for that I am grateful.  

How about you? How is everyone doing?