Redundancy scares...

As soon as these news were broken, I started to develop another perception of what I`ve got and what my life is like.

Clearly, with one of us (the one with the largest salary) not working, nothing could stay the same. The way our system works, there would be no benefits because I am in full time employment, and there was no question about the need to massively cut back.

I never considered myself materialistic or overly focused on money, but in the next few days, while we were waiting for further news, it just dawned on me how many of the activities we both enjoy involve parting with money.

My dance class which I have been enjoying for a few years. The new term started the day after these news came, so I contacted my instructor stating that I felt unable to come. A diet and nutrition class I was about to sign myself up for. I had attended the first class free of charge the previous week and was extremely enthusiastic. I contacted the teacher stating that I felt unable to commit at the present time. I quit gym the previous year, but hubby hadn`t. He enjoys the gym but could we afford to keep it going? He also enjoys going to sporting events very regularly during the warm season, and I could not help but hope that he would not insist.

But then again, all that is a large part of our social life.We derive pleasure and quality of life from it.

But wouldn`t we have to reconsider our priorities? Food, bills? We have two elderly cats. I couldn`t even start to imagine not being able to meet their health needs.

I started to think about what else we spend our money on. Clutter, that is not really needed. A daily paper which we don`t always get to read. Four magazine subscriptions between us. Worth considering...