Femme Economics: Waking Up to the Recession
I’ve succumbed to the recession. I had a sign on a corkboard in my office for seven months that said “I will not participate in the recession” and I just took it down. I finally have admitted to my little femme-housewife-wannabe self that the recession has affected my wife and I in these ways:
1. Less income for both of us.
2. Can’t sell the little house, so we can’t buy a bigger one- which means…
3. Have to put our baby plans on hold which is also because we can’t afford sperm! (more on sperm in my next blog).
4. Can’t afford a two-seater kayak for summer fun. Not even a used one.
My optimism, however, got me through our gorgeous wedding this month, that although decidedly frugal has left us with a little bit of debt which makes our skin crawl and makes us even further aware of the recession. My optimism about finances and the economy meant that I didn’t drive myself crazy with worry all the way through wedding planning, I didn’t skimp on any of the details which were important to us, and those are memories that last a lifetime.
“Not participating” this year also allowed me to fearlessly pay for and earn my Postpartum Doula certificate (supporting the moms of newborns), a longtime dream. So far the recession isn’t visibly affecting my new business or my life coaching practice and I am very grateful for that. Still I find myself grieving a certain “timing” I had imagined for my family and there must be a good spiritual reason for this. I just have to figure out what to do with this not moving and not baby making time.
But right now what I want to do is commiserate. I’m admitting that the situations above make me sad and especially putting off a baby- since I’ve wanted that for ten years. I’m hopeful about the second part of the year but would like to hear from Queercents readers on how the recession has been affecting your dreams. Please share!
P.S. Why are kayaks so expensive?
Photo credit: stock.xchng.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Moorea: Always nice to see you on Queercents. In regards to your question… we’ve wanted a remodeled kitchen for three years. As you know, for awhile we were spending our extra money on making a baby and then adopting Sam. Now that we have this expense behind us, Jeanine is itching to use some of our savings on a new kitchen. As much as I want this as well, it just doesn’t seem wise to spend that kind of money right now… I think we should keep as much in reserve as possible. So while I don’t think I’m “participating” in the recession, my practicality gets the best of me… which isn’t such a bad thing. After all, we can still cook the same wonderful meals in our much-dated kitchen.
Now about that kayak… I would think Craigslist is teeming with some low-cost options.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:03 am
You would think so about craigslist but people generally want $900 for a used kayak if they paid $1000 for it. In terms of used things it’s just not really making sense to me.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Also, Nina, you should just be glad you most likely have a dishwasher. I do three loads of dishes by hand every day.
May 28th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Moorea, I can empathize with you. It’s crazy that it costs so much for queers to have babies. Breeders totally take it for granted that they can just get knocked up by accident.
May 29th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Sorry to hear you’ve had to postpone your dream and I hope you do find, in hindsight, some cosmically good reason for it. I empathize with your dish washing. Before my wife talked me into one of those old fashioned portables for our rental (bought off Craig’s List), I was doing the same.
If anything, this “Great Recession” has strengthened my resolve to continue the progress, however slowly, toward financial independence so as to be insulated somewhat from unfortunate economic circumstances.
June 4th, 2009 at 4:53 am
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