How Much is Enough?

     Do others find themselves asking the questions, how much is enough, more often than you used to? I find I am examining the answer to that question in everything from emergency fund reserves to toilet paper to  washable masks these days. Take for instance moving our daughter back to school.  Her medical kit was to include three reusable, washable face mask, of which the school is providing one. Well, she went back with at least a weeks worth, knowing one may be left behind somewhere, as well as making sure she regularly has a clean one ready to go. I admit that while not doing panic buying on  items like toilet paper, I am making sure I have at least a two multi-pack reserve. Sure it has been available regularly now, if not a great brand selection; But after the insanity of spring that got me down to four rolls before my daughter bought me a pack on her rare Walmart trips, I won't be caught off guard this fall. I find TP commercials  right extremely annoying now-as if we have a choice of brands!

     The old adage of having three months of living expenses morphed into having six months long before the Covid19 crisis. After  seeing that we have passed the six month mark of the pandemic in the US, six months seems too little. Yet, this is so far away from making it a reality, for most families and individuals. I continue to question every non-essential purchase, and even the essential ones like food and clothing, for why I bought what I did. I am starting to truly ask these three questions. Do I need it? If I need it, is there a less expensive and less wasteful version? If I don't need it, will it bring me incredible joy? If I don"t need it now, will it save me resources in the long run? I have had varying degrees of success. Packing our own snacks for the road, a good choice. Ordering take out sandwiches, an expensive choice that added waste. Getting a take out coffee, might give me joy in supporting an extended family members coffee house and meeting up with a friend, but using a non-recyclable coffee cup, entirely wasteful.

     I had an expensive August. The water heater element went out and we either could replace the element/repair for $1400 with no guarantee, or replace the water heater and have a warranty for the life of living in this house. We went with new, but was that wasteful-both financially and  environmentally? We had a leak this week that cost us $700! We had additional items for our daughters move. These things in life still happen, and because they don't come at convenient times, I feel like more than ever I can't let our fiscal guard down. 

     With the exception of disinfectant wipes which I can just use cleaning product and paper towels or rags, I am not too worried about the supply chain this fall. Still I want to replace items in the pantry and freezer as they are used.While Covid was not here yet, though DH seemed to have all the symptoms, I remember how sick he was for four weeks. Should we both get sick at the same time, we won't be going anywhere, and would rather not put anyone at risk, bringing us supplies. Even if only one of us gets sick, the other should stay put as well. I am not stock piling, but I am creating reserves. I want to add dry chick peas and powdered milk to my pantry as a couple staples for so many recipes

     DH's retirement for January 2024 is still on target, and mine as well. if  choose, for July 2028.  We though are a long ways away from the safety net I would like for DH to retire next March comfortably, though I think our quality of life would dramatically improve. Maybe we can make it work sometime earlier than 2024, if not as early as next spring.  I just don't think we have met our personal answer to the question, how much is enough.